Puk, Rosenthal join A's list of early-season injury issues

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The amount of Athletics players on the injury list is growing by the day. Oakland received more bad news Thursday on two key pitchers, too. 

A.J. Puk was placed on the 10-day IL with a strained left biceps and Trevor Rosenthal was moved to the 60-day IL with a shoulder injury, the team announced. The A's later announced that Rosenthal underwent surgery after being diagnosed with sever neurovascular compression, and will be re-evaluated in eight weeks.

Puk has appeared in just one game this season, and tossed 3 1/3 scoreless innings Monday against the Los Angeles Dodgers. It was his first appearance for the A's since Sept. 27, 2019, after missing all of last season after undergoing shoulder surgery. He said he felt "great" after his relief appearance, but the injury bug has hit him again.

The A's selected Puk with the No. 6 pick in the 2016 MLB Draft, but the 6-foot-7 lefty has dealt with a long list of injuries in his young career. He also missed all of 2018 to Tommy John surgery. 

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Rosenthal, 30, hasn't appeared in a game this season for the A's as he recovers from shoulder surgery that will keep him out for a long period of time.

The A's signed the veteran reliever to a one-year, $11 million contract in February.

That looked to be a steal of a deal after Rosenthal had a 1.90 ERA and recorded 11 saves last season between Kansas City Royals and San Diego Padres. But his right shoulder has changed everything.

With injuries to Puk and Rosenthal, the A's now has six players on the IL as they deal with a slow 1-6 start to the year. The shorthanded A's hit the road for the first time Thursday night against the Houston Astros, who swept them to begin the season. 

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