Elephant Rumblings: Oakland A’s will host first Summer Camp workout on July 4

Good morning, Athletics Nation!

July 4 is coming on Saturday! There won’t be any parades or public fireworks shows this year, due to the coronavirus pandemic and its ensuing social distancing measures, but at least there’s one thing to look forward to on this special holiday — Oakland A’s pitchers and catchers will host their first workout of Spring Training 2.0, now known as Summer Camp. The first full-squad workout will follow on Sunday.

The A’s training camp is being held at the Coliseum this year, while every clubs’ normal Arizona and Florida sites are closed due to spikes in virus cases in those states. Out of Oakland’s 60-man player pool, 42 of them will participate at the Coliseum, with the other 18 (mostly young prospects) waiting to report to an alternate camp at a yet undetermined site.

To see the A’s full 60-man player pool, click here and scroll to the bottom. Among the non-roster names who will be at the Coliseum, all of whom are minor league free agent signings: pitchers Lucas Luetge, Jaime Schultz, and Jordan Weems; catcher Carlos Perez; and infielders Eric Campbell, Ryan Goins, and Nate Orf. Of the 40-man roster, outfielder Dustin Fowler is the only one with MLB experience who will go straight to the alternate training site rather than to Oakland.

Summer camp will last around three weeks, with Opening Day of the 60-game regular season expected to be around July 23 or 24, and we might get a chance to see behind the scenes in a way we never have before. Of course, there’s still the danger that the pandemic will continue to worsen and halt the whole plan, but for now baseball will take its next step toward returning this weekend.

A’s Coverage:

• Slusser: A’s at-risk staff members adjust to pandemic; team doctor will work remotely ($)
• Slusser and Schulman: Giants, A’s wild week of travel: Get over 100 players to Bay Area, fast and safe ($)
• Slusser: A’s set up assistance fund for furloughed employees ($)
• Jenkins: Youthful A’s can withstand the chaos of a season upended by coronavirus ($)
• Hickey: Athletics Pitchers & Catchers Report for First Workout Saturday; Full Squad Sunday
• Hickey: Five Storylines as Athletics Prepare to Start Summer Camp This Weekend
• Hickey: Athletics Have the Three Youngest Players on MLB’s 60-Man Summer Rosters
• Hickey: Ex-Athletics Rajai Davis, Bruce Maxwell Among Mexican League Players Shut Down
• Hall: Who are the Oakland A’s biggest AL rivals?

MLB News, & Interest:

• Nightengale: After blowback, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred clarifies comments on 60-game season
• King III: Hal Steinbrenner expects to see fans at Yankee Stadium this season
• Sarris and Waldon: With no minor leagues or college ball, where will prospects go to play? ($$$)
• Ghiroli: Prohibition baseball: Inside the biggest All-Star Game no one watched ($$$)
• Clair: Here’s the most electrifying star at each position
• Today in Baseball History

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