Marcus Semien could miss series against San Diego Padres, Bob Melvin says
Oakland A’s shortstop Marcus Semien wasn’t in the lineup for Friday’s series opener against the San Diego Padres, and manager Bob Melvin isn’t expecting him for the series.
The ironman shortstop isn’t one to miss games — before Saturday, he hadn’t missed a start in 276 straight games, but a left side injury kept him out of the second game of the doubleheader against the Astros. The A’s haven’t played a game since due to Daniel Mengden’s positive coronavirus test result Sunday.
“It’s just not something I’m used to,” Semien said. “As I get older and mature, I understand that you need to get something right. To know there’s a bigger picture at the end of the season and not just today’s game.”
Semien had felt a similar side pain at some point during the previous two seasons, but he couldn’t ignore the pain he felt taking hacks in the cage between the doubleheader games.
“When I faced (Lance) McCullers my last at bat, I didn’t feel too hot,” Semien, 29, said. “I’m the type of guy that tries to grind through things. In the past, things have just gone away. This was more intense.”
Semien had an MRI and CT scan done while his team played their last game in Houston, and the results didn’t show any further or serious injury.
“It sucks,” he said. “These are important games I want to be part of. But the most important thing is getting back healthy for the end of the season.”
Friday, Semien took swings off a tee in the cage. Since the A’s were cleared from quarantine on Tuesday and allowed to practice Wednesday, Semien did sprints and took ground balls. He hasn’t taken batting practice, but he’s preparing, mentally, as if he’s available off the bench.
Semien isn’t wired to miss games, but he feels a responsibility to take his recovery slow. He avoids an IL stint, but the timetable for his return is murky. Though, Melvin was encouraged by some of the activities he’s done since the A’s have been allowed back onto the field.
“I haven’t even heard that (he’d taken swings off a tee) yet,” Melvin said. “So, if that’s the case, that’s a good thing. If he’s not playing, it means it’s a pretty significant thing with him. But it looks like we’re gaining some ground. I really don’t know.”
Vimael Machin played shortstop for Friday’s game against the Padres against right-handed pitcher Zach Davies. Chad Pinder, who returned from paternity leave, is expected to play shortstop against left-handed pitchers while Semien recovers.