A's James Kaprielian Out For Season

A's starter has been shut down after successful shoulder surgery

The A's announced on Wednesday, "Right-handed pitcher James Kaprielian underwent successful right shoulder arthroscopic surgery today with Dr. Neil ElAttrache in Los Angeles to repair his posterior labrum. Kaprielian will be out for the remainder of the season. There is no timetable for his return at this time."

Kaprielian, 29, was 2-6 with a 6.34 ERA and a 1.59 WHIP this season. In a start against the Mets on April 14, Kap walked seven batters in 3.2 innings, and the team as a whole issued 17 free passes that night. Hogan Harris, who was making his big-league debut also issued five walks while recording one out. 

Like Harris, Kaprielian had turned his season around after a little time in Triple-A Las Vegas. After a three week stint in the desert, the right-hander made eight starts with the A's and in 45 innings pitched, held a 4.00 ERA. League average ERA for a starting pitcher this season has been 4.43, so he was tossing the ball pretty well. 

After the first of those starts, the veteran talked about everything being a part of his journey and called his time in Triple-A "a breath of fresh air."

He has been on the IL since June 30, and will likely be transferred to the 60-day list the next time the team needs a spot on the 40-man roster. 

When Kaprielian is ready to return next season the starting rotation will have some competition waiting for him. Luis Medina has been throwing the ball really well since the All Star break. Mason Miller, when healthy, has top-of-the-rotation stuff. JP Sears has been the team's most consistent starter in 2023. Hogan Harris, Ken Waldichuk and Paul Blackburn will all certainly be in the mix too. 

A's manager Mark Kotsay told reporters before Wednesday's game "Looking at Kap's last two years, I don't really feel he's had a full set of health, and yet he's gone out an competed for us. That says a lot about his character and the competitor he is. It's unfortunate that his season is done, but I also think that if he can get right and recover from this surgery, that he still has some baseball in front of him."