Chad Pinder exits game Sunday with knee sprain

The Oakland A’s are off to the worst start imaginable in 2021, and the losses have extended beyond just the standings.

After already losing players to wrist injuries in each of their first two games, the A’s had another player exit the game hurt on Sunday. This time it was Chad Pinder, who was starting in right field.

The very first batter of the game hit a deep fly to right, and Pinder ranged back to make a leaping catch at the wall. However, he came down hard and slipped on the landing, then stayed on the ground for a moment before getting up gingerly.

The diagnosis is a left knee sprain and he’ll get an MRI on Monday, reports Alex Coffey of the Athletic.

This injury is especially ill-timed because Pinder is perhaps the A’s hottest player on both sides of the ball so far this year. He’s got their only homer at the plate through four games, and he’s already made multiple highlight catches at a position he basically hadn’t played in two years.

On top of that, Oakland is already down a starting outfielder, as Ramon Laureano missed the last two games after jamming his wrist sliding into first base. He’s not expected to be out long, but it’s also not clear exactly when he’ll return, per Coffey. Catcher Sean Murphy is in the same boat as Laureano, day-to-day with a wrist contusion from a HBP on Thursday.

• RHP Trevor Rosenthal, 10-day IL, shoulder (no timetable)
• RHP Mike Fiers, 10-day IL, lumbar (hopeful April return)
• UT Chad Pinder, day-to-day, knee (getting MRI)
• OF Ramon Laureano, day-to-day, wrist (any day now?)
• C Sean Murphy, day-to-day, wrist (any day now?)