MESA, Ariz. – Left-hander Sean Manaea is dealing with soreness in his groin that figures to shut him down for the rest of the exhibition season.
Manaea, the A’s top pitching prospect, won’t accompany the team north for the Bay Bridge Series against the Giants. That points to him beginning the season in the minor leagues, though the A’s haven’t addressed the immediate plans for him moving forward. But the plan all along has been for him to start in the minors anyway barring a serious need in the big league rotation, and Oakland has Felix Doubront as insurance for the rotation as things stand.
Manaea said he first felt discomfort in his groin Friday, the day of his most recent start.
“It’s just a little tighter, nothing serious at all,” Manaea said.
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But no doubt the A’s will be cautious. Last season, while he was still in Kansas City’s farm system, Manaea tweaked his groin on the same side while rehabbing from an oblique injury.
“It’s kind of different, not like pain or anything,” he said. “It just feels a little more tight.”
Manaea posted a 4.40 ERA in five games (three starts) with the A’s this spring. He struck out 16 and walked seven in 14 1/3 innings.
