A's Injury Updates: Rooker, Waldichuk, Andujar

Jason Burke | Apr 12, 2024

Apr 5, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Oakland Athletics left fielder Brent Rooker (25) receives / Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

OAKLAND, CA -- Oakland A's manager Mark Kotsay provided an update on the various injured players the team currently has ahead of Friday night's game in Oakland.

First up was Brent Rooker (costochondral cartilage injury), whom the team placed on the IL on Thursday. There is no timetable for a return at this time, but he started his full body workouts on Friday, and those will continue as long as he feels good. He is eligible to return on April 17 at the earliest.

Ken Waldichuk (left UCL sprain) threw a bullpen on Friday and is continuing mound progressions as long as there are no setbacks. "He's made a lot of progress and we'll just continue to monitor that." The left-hander is eligible to return to Oakland on May 27. Kotsay was unsure of the pitch mix that Waldichuk was using during his 'pen, but said he would think he's at fastball/changeup. "I don't think he's spun any yet."

Scott Alexander is slated to throw his first bullpen next Friday after a stress reaction in his hip put him on the IL to begin the season. Alexander is already eligible to return when he is ready.

Luis Medina (right knee MCL sprain), who was just moved to the 60-day IL to make room for Max Schuemann on the 40-man roster, has started a running progression. He will start mound progressions next week. Medina, like Waldichuk, is eligible to return to the rotation on May 27.

Freddy Tarnok (right hip inflammation) had a cortisone injection last week to address the scar tissue in his surgically repaired hip. "He's working to get back on the mound probably late next week." Tarnok is another guy that is already eligible to return.

Aledmys Díaz (right calf strain) started his running progression today. "Obviously we'll monitor that and continue moving forward. He's doing baseball activity, minimal baseball activity, but the running portion of it has started today, which is probably the most important part of it." Díaz is able to return to the roster on May 27.

Miguel Andujar (right knee surgery) is playing catch and will start running and hitting next week. Andujar is another guy that is eligible to return to the roster already, but he will likely need a rehab stint in the minors once he is deemed ready to go.

Finally, left-hander Sean Newcomb (left knee inflammation) is set to start a throwing progression. Newcomb is eligible on May 27.