Tommy

White

McNeil has been a fixture near the top of the Athletics’ lineup, so he’ll get a well-deserved breather in this one. Tommy White will cover first base in his absence and will bat sixth for the A’s against Guardians’ right-hander Gavin Williams.

White got the Athletics going with his solo shot in the second inning, but couldn’t muster up much offense besides that. It was White’s third home run in what’s been a disappointing rookie campaign to go along with a .259 batting average and .618 OPS.

The 27-year-old has settled in as the team’s regular shortstop while Jacob Wilson has been sidelined, but he’ll get a breather in this one. Donovan Walton will slide over to cover short with Jeff McNeil manning second base and Tommy White starting at first base against Mariners’ right-hander George Kirby.

White returns to the lineup for the first time since last Tuesday after missing sixth straight games with back issues. The 23-year-old rookie is at DH and hitting sixth in his return to the lineup.

White hasn’t made an appearance for the Athletics since last Tuesday due to ongoing back issues. He’s out of the lineup for the sixth consecutive game. It doesn’t seem like he’s going to land on the injured list since the club has been willing to ride out the issue for nearly one week at this juncture.

White sat out his third consecutive game due to lower back soreness. The 23-year-old rookie remains day-to-day for now.

White was pulled from Tuesdays’ game due to soreness in his lower back and has now missed two consecutive games since. If he isn’t ready to go for the weekend, the A’s may be forced to place him on the injured list. Jeff McNeil will slide over and cover first base while Michael Stefanic will draw a start at second base and will bat sixth against Mariners’ rookie left-hander Kade Anderson.

White appeared to be in some discomfort on a swing during his first at-bat of the night, which led to his early exit. Fantasy managers should consider him day-to-day for now.

White seems to be settling in now. He hit the first two homers of his career last Sunday and Monday, and he went 3-for-4 on Saturday. This, though, was his best game to date from a contract standpoint; he had a 107.8-mph lineout and a 106.0-mph flyout that was projected at 409 feet and would have been a homer in 15 ballparks. He also had a 99.8-mph groundout to go along with his 92.8-mph single. White had topped 105 mph in exit velocity three times in 31 games coming into the day, peaking at 108.0.

The A’s let Kurtz rush back from his original thumb injury last month and will pay the price, though not really, since they’re not playing for much anyway. It’s unclear as of yet whether Kurtz will return this season. The A’s will likely go with Tommy White at first base, opening up time at third base for Max Muncy and Donovan Walton.