OAKLAND – The MRI results on Henderson Alvarez’s right shoulder were inconclusive, so the A’s are sending his MRI to Dr. James Andrews, who performed the right-hander’s surgery in July.
For the time being, it’s tough to draw any conclusions on Alvarez’s status, or when he might be ready to finally join the A’s rotation. But manager Bob Melvin took the situation as a no-news-is-good-news situation.
“It does give you some optimism,” Melvin said before Wednesday’s series finale against Texas.
Alvarez played catch Wednesday morning and felt “OK,” according to Melvin. There’s no word on when Alvarez might get back on the mound after he was pulled after five innings of his last rehab start with Triple-A Nashville. The plan before that setback was for Alvarez to join Oakland’s rotation for the upcoming four-game series against the New York Yankees that begins Thursday.
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Some leftover nuggets from Tuesday’s ending, when Khris Davis hit a walk-off grand slam for the A’s as part of his three-homer, six-RBI night:
Davis leads the majors with nine home runs in May and leads all Major League left fielders with nine homers (only those hit while playing the position). His 11 homers overall are tied for third in the American League.
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Third baseman Danny Valencia has six homers in his past five games. Those are the most home runs by an A’s player over a five-game span since Geronimo Berroa had seven from Aug. 12-16, 1996.
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Second baseman Jed Lowrie is progressing from a shin contusion. He did some running Tuesday and said it went well but that he still has a lot of swelling and bruising. He and Melvin both say Lowrie will play some minor league rehab games before returning.
Reliever Liam Hendriks (right triceps strain) still feels some tightness and discomfort when he throws, so there’s no word on when he’ll get on the mound.
Fellow reliever R.J. Alvarez, who’s been out all season after having elbow surgery, is throwing out to a distance of 105 feet.
In one final injury update, outfielder Sam Fuld is scheduled to undergo his shoulder surgery Wednesday. Fuld will miss the rest of the season.
