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The Oakland A’s placed shortstop Marcus Semien on the paternity list on Wednesday, the team announced. To take his place on the active roster, relief pitcher Josh Lucas was called up from Triple-A Nashville.
The Semien family welcomed a second son named Joshua on Wednesday morning, reports insider Jane Lee. (Their first son, Isaiah, was born last April). Marcus is expected back with the team on Saturday, notes Lee, which would constitute the maximum three days allowed for the paternity list. Semien has played every single inning of the A’s season to this point.
Semien, 2018: .268/.320/.383, 94 wRC+, 5 HR, 7.7% BB, 22.8% Ks
That batting line doesn’t jump off the page, but combined with solid defense up the middle he ranks third among A’s position players with 1.2 fWAR. He also leads the club with four stolen bases, albeit in eight attempts.
In the meantime, Oakland will roll with a short bench and an extra reliever. Lucas has already made a few appearances in MLB this year, including two superb long relief outings and one pseudo-start in a bullpen game. In terms of current rest status, he last pitched on Monday in Triple-A and threw two innings (24 pitches).
Lucas, 2018: 3.12 ERA, 8⅔ ip, 8 Ks, 5 BB, 0 HR, 3.00 FIP
While Semien is out of action, the A’s have two viable options to replace him. Chad Pinder is starting at shortstop on Wednesday against the Rays, and rookie infielder Franklin Barreto is also available on the bench.
Expect another roster move Thursday morning, as DH Khris Davis appears to be ready for his return after a minimum DL stint (strained groin). That’s the word from John Shea of the S.F. Chronicle, who says Khrush ran the bases on Wednesday and is “good to go tomorrow.”
Updated roster:
Pitchers | Hitters |
Starters Sean Manaea (L) Daniel Mengden (R) Trevor Cahill (R) Daniel Gossett (R) Frankie Montas (R) Relievers Blake Treinen (R) Yusmerio Petit (R) Lou Trivino (R) Danny Coulombe (L) Chris Hatcher (R) Ryan Dull (R) Emilio Pagain (R) Carlos Ramirez (R) Josh Lucas (R) |
Catchers Jonathan Lucroy (R) Bruce Maxwell (L) Infielders Matt Olson (L) Jed Lowrie (S) Matt Chapman (R) Chad Pinder (R) Franklin Barreto (R) Outfielders Stephen Piscotty (R) Matt Joyce (L) Mark Canha (R) Dustin Fowler (L) |
3-day Paternity: SS Marcus Semien (boy)
10-day DL: RHP Andrew Triggs (triceps), LHP Brett Anderson (shoulder), RHP Santiago Casilla (shoulder), RHP Liam Hendriks (groin), LHP Ryan Buchter (shoulder), DH Khris Davis(groin), OF Boog Powell (knee)
60-day DL: RHP Jharel Cotton (TJS), RHP Paul Blackburn (forearm strain)
To conclude this happy story, here is a GIF of an otter wearing an A’s hat.
30 minutes until #AsPregameLive on #WorldOtterDay
— A's on NBCS (@NBCSAthletics) May 31, 2018
There's no Otter team we'd rather be a fan of. #RootedInOakland pic.twitter.com/bKgLIfk7cG