Denzel

Clarke

Even if Clarke, Max Muncy and Tommy White aren’t necessarily among the Athletics’ best nine starters, it’s odd just how little playing time they’re getting down the stretch here. Clarke, perhaps the game’s best defensive center fielder, entered today with one plate appearance in nine days. He actually did really well on his rehab assignment last month (.353/.463/.588 in 11 games for Las Vegas), and it would have made sense for the A’s to give him all the time he could handle to figure out whether he should in their 2027 plans. As is, he’s 2-for-14 with two walks and two strikeouts since being activated on Sept. 1.

Clarke was included in the lineup against lefties in his first two games back from the IL last week, but he’s since started just one of seven games. If he’s not going to play much this month, with the A’s missing most of their best players, it doesn’t bode well him claiming a spot in the 2027 outfield. He might be the league’s best defensive center fielder, but his bat leaves a great deal to be desired.

Clarke has now been off the injured list for two games and has started in center field for both of them. We should note that both of them have been against left-handed pitchers, which means Carlos Cortes was always going to be on the bench for both of these games. It remains to be seen what the Athletics do against a righty, but Zack Gelof has been playing left field, and Henry Bolte has been at designated hitter, which likely means Bolte and Cortes are battling for at-bats against right-handed pitchers.

Clarke is finally back 4 1/2 months after suffering a right foot bone bruise and nearly 3 1/2 months since he strained a hamstring on his initial rehab assignment. He just hit .353 with two homers in 11 games for Triple-A Las Vegas, and he should finish out the season as the Athletics’ primary center fielder. Henry Bolte can slide over to left, giving the A’s maybe the game’s best defensive outfield. Carlos Cortes will likely spend more time at DH, taking at-bats away from Max Muncy.

Clarke was working his way back from a foot injury when he hurt his hamstring in late May. He returned to the field on August 18 and has since gone 6-for-13 with one home run, five RBI, and a 3/4 K/BB ratio. He has not yet attempted a steal, which would be nice to see to verify the health of his hamstring, but there is a chance that Clarke can return to center field for the Athletics by the end of the week, which would push Henry Bolte to a corner outfield spot and may cost Carlos Cortes playing time.

The procedural move frees up a spot on the Athletics’ 40-man roster with Clark expected to be sidelined until at least mid-July after suffering a high-grade hamstring strain earlier this month while on a rehab assignment.

Clarke is expected to be sidelined until after the All-Star break in mid-July after suffering a setback while playing in a minor league rehab game for Triple-A Las Vegas last week. The 26-year-old defensive stalwart has been diagnosed with a high-grade hamstring strain that is going to keep him out for a significant amount of time.

It’s a tough break for the 26-year-old defensive wizard who was nearing a return from a bone bruise that had him shelved since April 22. He won’t be re-evaluated until after the All-Star break which means he’s going to be out for a while. If there were any concerns about the playing time for Henry Bolte once Clark returned, the runway has now been cleared.

Clarke has been on the injured list since April 22nd with a midfoot bone bruise. He will likely need a couple of games to ensure that his foot can hold up to playing back-to-back games in the outfield. After that, the A’s will have a dilemma on their hands. Clarke was really struggling as a hitter, slashing .170/.228/.189 with a 40 percent strikeout rate. However, he is also an elite defender. If the A’s want to call up Clarke, they’d need to send one of Carlos Cortes, Lawrence Butler, or Henry Bolte to the minors.

Clarke has been on the IL since Apr. 22, and he’ll likely require a fair amount of time on a rehab assignment before being activated. With Carlos Cortes thriving as a starter against right-handers, Clarke’s playing time might not be what he’s used to when he does return.