Programming note: Astros-A’s coverage starts tonight at 6:30 p.m. with A’s Pregame Live on Comcast SportsNet California
OAKLAND – Right fielder Josh Reddick was activated from the 15-day disabled list Tuesday, giving the A’s more outfield options.
The question is how Reddick fits back into the playing rotation after a right knee injury that twice sent him to the D.L. since the beginning of June.
He wasn’t in Tuesday’s lineup against Houston, not a real surprise given the Astros are throwing a left-hander in Brett Oberholtzer. But A’s manager Bob Melvin said Reddick will get his share of playing time, particularly with the A’s currently scheduled to face eight right-handed starters in a row after Tuesday night.
“Vogter (Stephen Vogt) can do some different things too,” Melvin said. “He can play some first, play some DH … We’ll figure out the best lineup on a particular day, but Josh will get a lot of time in right field.”
Reddick said the new knee brace he’s wearing is still “very uncomfortable” but that it doesn’t hamper him running or playing defense. He said he’ll likely wear the brace the rest of the season and then hope that offseason rest is a sufficient long-term remedy. Reddick inflammation in a tendon in the knee, but surgery has not been discussed with the team.
Melvin said there’s a way to get Reddick, Vogt and Brandon Moss – all left-handed hitters – on the field at the same time. That scenario would likely have Vogt at DH, Moss at first base and Reddick in right.
Vogt is dealing with a minor foot injury right now, so Melvin is not using him at catcher.
