Elephant Rumblings: A’s facing decision with Aledmys Diaz’s impending return

The Oakland Athletics will have a decision to make Sunday before they wrap up a four-game series against the Texas Rangers. Infielder Aledmys Diaz is on track to return from the injured list, and barring something unforeseen, isn’t expected to play in any rehab games per the San Francisco Chronicle’s Matt Kawahara. That means his return will likely come at the expense of one of Oakland’s young infielder.

The A’s signed Diaz in hopes that he could be a veteran presence for a young infield group. However, he struggled to provide much of anything before going on the injured list May 2 with a strained hamstring. Diaz is hitting .153/.226/.212 with a 29 wRC+ in 93 plate appearances. His -0.7 fWAR is the worst total on the team so it would be a stretch to categorize this move as an upgrade.

Nick Allen replaced Diaz on the active roster when he went on the injured list. He provides solid defense at short, but has also struggled at the plate. Kevin Smith tore up Triple A to start the season, but it hasn’t translated to the major league level. He enters play Sunday with a 43 wRC+ and a 36.6% strikeout rate. Jordan Diaz would seemingly be another option but has produced a 110 wRC+ over his first 56 plate appearances.

A’s Coverage

• A’s fall to Rangers, 5-0
• A’s waste James Kaprielian’s quality spot start, fall 5-0 to Rangers
• Jace Peterson flips over wall after eye-popping catch
• A’s recall James Kaprielian to start Saturday
• ‘Part of my path’: Kaprielian rejuvenated after stint in minors
• Esteury Ruiz’s game more than stealing bases
• A’s pulling same shenanigans in Vegas after many Bay Area mishaps

MLB News

• With Cards’ confidence, Contreras to return to catcher
• Ryan Feltner recovering at hospital after frightening comebacker
• Cubs, Marcus Stroman had preliminary extension talks
• Tigers place Spencer Turnbull on 15-day injured list
• Twins place Max Kepler on 10-day injured list
• White Sox place Elvis Andrus on 10-day injured list, reinstate Romy Gonzalez
• Darin Ruf elects free agency

Best of Twitter

Saturday’s game included a controversial play at the plate

Jace Peterson with maybe the catch of the season for the A’s