Oakland A’s spring injury updates: Matt Chapman, Jorge Mateo, Grant Holmes

The Oakland A’s are 2-5-1 so far in the Cactus League, but during the spring the team’s health is more important than its record. We took our last look around the trainer’s room on Thursday, so here’s an update. The bottom line remains that none of these problems are serious, just minor bumps and bruises and a lot of completely normal early-spring caution.

Matt Chapman

The A’s starting 3B is finally making his spring debut today (Sunday). He’s been taking it slow so far after receiving a cortisone shot in his hand (bone bruise). He’ll use a “padded grip around bat to take away some of the impact on contact,” reports Julian McWilliams of The Athletic. He’ll get the day off Monday before working his way into regular playing time, says Martin Gallegos of the East Bay Times. Welcome back Chap!

Prospects

Speedy infielder Jorge Mateo hasn’t played yet this spring while he finishes recovering from an offseason knee sprain, but he ran the bases on Saturday, reports Susan Slusser of the S.F. Chronicle. After a successful session, Slusser laid out the following schedule: run/slide on Sunday, and then aim to make his playing debut on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, pitcher Grant Holmes joins the injury list. Slusser notes a shoulder problem and says Holmes will do some throwing today. The right-hander, who will pitch at age 22 this season, is 10th on our Community Prospect List and spent last year in Double-A.

Finally, Renato Nunez jogged on Saturday as he recovers from a strained hammy, reports Slusser. Nunez is on the bubble to make the 25-man roster but had his hot spring start interrupted by the ill-timed pulled muscle.

Pitchers

Sean Manaea was scratched from his debut start due to back tightness, but he ended up pitching a simulated game the next day. He’ll finally make a real start on Tuesday against Bartolo Colon and the Rangers, says Gallegos.

Reliever Ryan Dull was held back after his own spring debut due to a shoulder issue. He’s set to play catch today, says Slusser.

RIP ball