A's Nick Martini leaves spring training game with hyperextended back

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A's outfielder Nick Martini left Tuesday's preseason game against the Angels with a hyperextended back, manager Bob Melvin told reporters.

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Martini tripped over his shoe chasing a foul ball off the bat of Tommy La Stella in the sixth inning and fell headfirst into the wall. The 28-year-old remained on the ground for about a minute before walking off under his own power.

Martini is coming off a breakout season in his baseball career, batting .296/.397/.414 in 55 Major League games last year. He is one of several outfielders battling for the starting left field job this season.

Fortunately, Martini's injury doesn't appear to be serious, but he will likely miss at least a few preseason games.

Martini's primary competition in left field is 29-year-old Robbie Grossman, who signed a one-year, $2 million deal with the A's earlier this month. Grossman posted a .273/.367/.384 slash line last year with the Twins and has a career on-base percentage of .355. He will almost certainly make the A's 25-man roster and could serve as Oakland's leadoff hitter.

Other left-field possibilities include Mark Canha, Dustin Fowler, Chad Pinder, and Franklin Barreto.

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