Athletics utilityman Chad Pinder was out of the lineup again Saturday, and manager Mark Kotsay said his recent struggles were injury-related.
“He’s had some minor muscle issues in his neck that he’s managed,” Kotsay told reporters before the Athletics faced the Kansas City Royals at Kaufman Stadium. “We feel this is a good opportunity to get it really calmed down. He’s played through it. It’s not talked about by Chad — it’s not who ie is as a player — but it’s a chance to get him a couple of days (off) against righties to get healthy and get him back going again.”
Pinder, 30, was being counted upon as one of the returning veterans from a stripped-down roster to be productive at several positions, but is hitting .239 with five home runs and 16 RBIs. He currently is in an 0-for-9 slump, was 1-for-11 in the Seattle series and 2-for-15 during the last home stand. He played just 75 games last season with two stints on the injured list with a left knee strain and a right hamstring strain.
He was out of the lineup against Royals right-hander Zack Grienke in a 3-1 loss and again Saturday against Royals right-hander Brad Keller. The neck issue has affected Pinder not only at the plate, but in the field.
“It’s kind of everything,” Kotsay said. “When your neck is bothering you it’ going to affect both sides, from throwing motion to the swing. He’s just grinding right now. He’ll be available to pinch-hit but it’s a good time to give him a blow.”
GETTING STARTED
The A’s are hoping to get James Kaprielian into the win column Sunday against the Royals after an 0-5 start. As it stands, only Paul Blackburn (6-3) has a record above .500 as Frankie Montas is 3-7, Cole Irvin is 2-5 and Jared Koenig is 1-2.
“In terms of our starters and their won-loss records, they’re not always accurate,” Kotsay said. “Our starters have done a good job this year pitching deep into games, giving us an opportunity to win. It’s a reflection more of our offense and our lack of run prodouction. I think Kap’s had some good starts and some not-so-good starts. He’s coming off the heels of a good one and hopefully he can get some swings and misses.”
In his previous start against Seattle, Kaprielian, going heavily with fastballs, had seven strikeouts and two walks in 5 1/3 innings in what was eventually an 8-2 loss.
LINEUP
Tony Kemp LF
Jonah Bride 3B
Ramon Laureano CF
Seth Brown LF
Sean Murphy C
Christian Bethancourt DH
Sheldon Neuse 1B
Elvis Andrus SS
Nick Allen 2B
Jared Koenig P
Source: www.mercurynews.com