Max

Muncy

It seems clear that Muncy, who suffered a fractured hand on July 21, isn’t entirely healthy, or he’d be getting starts over the likes of Darell Hernaiz and Brett Harris. He didn’t play in any rehab games before being activated as the replacement for the injured Zack Gelof, and in four games since rejoining the A’s, he’s totaled two innings at third base and no at-bats. Muncy still should get a chance to win a job next spring. The best route for the A’s might be to bring a solid third baseman and let Muncy, Gelof and other returnees battle it out at second.

Muncy returns to the Athletics’ infield mix for Saturday’s game against the Pirates after missing nearly the entire second half with a fractured right hand that he suffered back on July 21. The 23-year-old rookie figures to fill-in for an injured Zack Gelof (shoulder) at second base during the final week of the season.

Muncy has yet to resume hitting, but it’s a positive sign that he’s been participating in on-field drills again. The 22-year-old rookie hit the injured list last week with a fractured right hand and remains without a definitive return timetable. It’s theoretically possible he’ll make it back at some point before the end of August.

Initial X-rays came back negative, but Muncy underwent additional imaging on Tuesday that revealed the fracture. No word yet whether he’ll require surgery. There’s a strong possibility his rookie campaign is over. The 22-year-old infielder suffered the injury when he was hit by a pitch during Monday’s game against the Rangers. It’ll likely be veteran Luis Urías taking over at the hot corner in his absence.

Muncy is dealing with some swelling after being hit by a pitch during Monday’s series opener against the Rangers. It’s possible he’ll need a couple days off for the inflammation to subside before he’s back in the lineup.

Gelof could use some extra at-bats during next week’s All-Star break out of the spotlight after going 2-for 25 with zero extra-base hits and 13 strikeouts in eight games since making his season debut back on July 4. The Athletics will likely roll with some combination of Max Muncy and Luis Urías at the keystone while he’s back in the minors.

Wilson suffered a left hand contusion after he was hit by a pitch during Tuesday’s game. It sounds like he’s going to try to tough it out and won’t require a trip to the injured list, so expect him to return to action at some point over the weekend. Max Muncy will once again cover the shortstop position in his absence on Thursday and will bat sixth against Braves right-hander Spencer Strider.

No surprise here after Wilson suffered a left hand contusion when he was hit by a pitch during Tuesday’s series opener. The positive news for the Athletics, and fantasy managers, is that initial X-rays came back negative for any fractures. The 23-year-old All-Star will be re-evaluated in the coming days, but it appears he’s avoided serious injury. It’ll be Max Muncy filling in at shortstop on Wednesday night.

Muncy capped off a five-run first inning with a two-run blast off Didier Fuentes for his third home run in the last week. He later added a base hit in the seventh. The 22-year-old infielder is hitting .222/.268/.404 with eight homers and 22 RBI across 183 plate appearances.

In the battle of teams playing in minor league ballparks this season, the A’s fell behind early 2-0 in this one until Muncy evened things up in the fourth inning as he ambushed a first-pitch fastball from Shane Baz and belted a 376-foot (102.8 mph EV) two-run shot. Muncy also reached on an infield single in the sixth inning and took second on a wild pitch with one out, but the A’s couldn’t cash him in. With his two-hit attack, the 22-year-old infielder is now hitting .211/.258/.355 with six homers and 18 RBI on the season.