Zack

Gelof

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.

The dynamic 25-year-old second baseman will make his highly anticipated return to the A’s lineup on Friday evening against the Giants. Gelof will bat eighth against Giants’ right-hander Justin Verlander for his season debut on Friday night in West Sacramento. He makes for an intriguing addition in deeper mixed leagues for those looking for power and speed out of a middle infield spot. Just don’t anticipate him hitting for a good batting average.

Gelof is expected to play back-to-back full nine-inning games for Triple-A Las Vegas during this week and “could be activated soon after that.” If those back-to-back games come at the beginning of the week, then maybe Gelof returns to Sacramento for the weekend. If not, it seems like next week could be the latest we see Gelof return, assuming there are no setbacks.

Gelof played essentially the whole game at second base yet again, which is a big step in his quest to get back on the field for the Athletics. Gelof now has just five strikeouts to nine walks in his nine rehab games at Triple-A and could be set to return to the big leagues as soon as next week. That would mean that the Athletics would have to bump either Max Muncy or Luis Urias from the starting lineup and could send Max Schumann back to Triple-A.

He did play almost the whole game at second base, which is some positive news, even if that did come with an error. Gelof is 3-for-19 in eight games at Triple-A this season but has eight walks to just five strikeouts, which is nice to see. There is understandably going to be some rust since he’s been out all year, but if he’s making good swing decisions and playing regularly in the field, he should be back up in Sacramento soon.

Gelof started the game at designated hitter and played six innings before being subbed out. His rehab process is going to be a long one, but it’s encouraging to see that he’s still running despite the numerous injuries he’s faced this season.

Gelof was close to making it back last month from surgery to repair a hamate fracture in his right hand before suffering a stress reaction in his ribs that shut him down for a couple additional weeks. He’ll need a handful of contests in the minors to get back up to speed at the plate and in the field defensively before he’s ready to return to the Athletics’ lineup for his season debut.

It’s been a tumultuous road back for Gelof as he was nearing a return a couple weeks ago before suffering a stress reaction in his ribs. The 25-year-old second baseman figures to need a bit of an extended rehab assignment to get back up to speed considering the lengthy layoff, but he’s getting close to making it back to the Athletics’ lineup.

The 25-year-old second baseman had been making progress in his recovery from surgery to repair a hamate fracture in his right hand before he was shut down due to a stress reaction in his ribs. He’s probably going to require at least a handful of games on that rehab assignment before becoming an option to rejoin the A’s.

Gelof was on his way back from wrist surgery and suffered a stress reaction in his ribs. He was shut down fully for a few weeks but has now begun his hitting progression from the early stages again. There is no timeline for his return, but he could begin a rehab assignment next week if all goes well.