A’s head into Dodgers series short-staffed after Wilson, Soderstrom head to IL
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- A’s placed 2025 All-Stars Jacob Wilson and Tyler Soderstrom on the 10-day IL.
- The A’s called up No. 9 prospect Joshua Kuroda-Grauer to debut at second base.
- Multiple regulars remain sidelined as the A’s juggle IL stints and roster moves.
The Athletics head into a three-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, who have the best record in the MLB, more than a little handcuffed by injuries.
Ahead of Monday’s series opener at Sutter Health Park, the A’s announced that 2025 All-Star shortstop Jacob Wilson and star outfielder Tyler Soderstrom were placed on the 10-day injured list after suffering injuries last week.
The club’s hottest hitter, Zack Gelof, 2025 All-Star designated hitter Brent Rooker, ace Luis Severino, defensive stalwart Denzel Clarke and reliever Mark Leiter Jr. were already on the IL for various injuries before the two newest additions.
“(Injuries) definitely have hit us not, maybe, in an opportune time,” A’s manager Mark Kotsay said Monday, as his team sat at 40-44, just two games back of the American League West lead and 1½ games out of the final AL Wild Card spot. “We got to keep grinding.”
How long will Wilson, Soderstrom be out?
Wilson was placed on the injured list with right thumb inflammation, retroactive to Friday, the A’s said. He is unable to hit because of the inflammation.
The stint will be the second of the season for Wilson, who missed almost a month across May and June with a left shoulder injury. Wilson had been back with the A’s for fewer than 20 days before suffering the injury and missing the club’s last four games.
His most recent appearance was last Wednesday, when he was pinch-hit for in the ninth inning against the San Francisco Giants. Kotsay said at the time that Wilson was unable to swing a bat because of the inflammation.
The 2025 All-Star, who is known for his contact-hitting prowess, has appeared in only 50 games this season, posting a .694 OPS largely because of a decline in power hitting. Wilson’s batting average remains solid at .277.
Soderstrom, 24, had been on a resurgent streak before being placed on the injured list Monday with left hip soreness, retroactive to Sunday. He is not cleared for any baseball activities, the A’s said.
The A’s outfielder was removed from Saturday’s game in the third inning against the Los Angeles Angels and sat out Sunday’s contest.
After a slow start to the season, Soderstrom was hitting his stride in the 25 games leading up to his injury, posting a .958 OPS with six home runs, 15 RBIs and 17 walks compared with 15 strikeouts. Overall, Soderstrom has a .803 OPS despite batting .242, thanks to a strong walk rate and 35 extra-base hits, including 20 doubles.
Both Wilson and Soderstrom signed long-term deals with the A’s during the offseason and are key parts of their future plans.
“It’s just that next man up mentality,” A’s catcher Shea Langeliers said Monday. “Guys are gonna come up, be who they are, do their best. We will put our best foot forward every day, play our brand of baseball and whatever happens, happens.”
A’s call up top prospect
With Wilson and Soderstrom headed to the injured list, and reliever Jose Suarez placed on the paternity list, the A’s made several notable callups Monday, including the promotion of one of the organization’s top prospects, according to MLB Pipeline.
The A’s called up 23-year-old infielder Joshua Kuroda-Grauer, the club’s No. 9 overall prospect accoridng to MLB Pipeline, who will make his MLB debut Monday, starting at second base and hitting ninth.
In 75 games across Double-A and Triple-A this season, Kuroda-Grauer has a .323 batting average and an .845 OPS with 23 doubles, four triples and seven home runs. Kuroda-Grauer is also known for his defense at shortstop, second base and third base, something Kotsay noted as a strength ahead of Monday’s game against the Dodgers.
“KG is a good defender,” Kotsay said. “He’s done a nice job adding power this year. We’ve seen the power increase. The exit velos, those are all up. He’s maturing nicely.”
The team also recalled its No. 11 overall prospect Kade Morris, who was sent back to the Triple-A Las Vegas Aviators after a tough MLB debut earlier in June, and infielder Darell Hernaiz, who has spent about 50 games with the A’s in each of the last three seasons.
Morris, 24, is coming off a stellar start with the Triple-A Las Vegas Aviators last Wednesday, throwing seven scoreless innings while allowing only four hits. In his MLB debut in early June, he gave up nine runs, nine hits and three home runs.
Kotsay said Monday that Morris would be used out of the bullpen this time, taking Suarez’s spot.
Hernaiz, 24, struggled in 118 at-bats across 47 games this season, posting a .606 OPS with just four extra-base hits. However, he performed well in Triple-A after being sent down in early June and earned the recall.
To make room on the A’s 40-man roster for Kuroda-Grauer, reliever Michael Kelly was designated for assignment.
Other injury updates
Besides Wilson and Soderstrom, the team’s weekly injury report included updates on several other injured A’s regulars.
- Rooker (left knee bone bruise) has started running and swinging progressions.
- Clarke (left hamstring strain) has started running, throwing and swinging progressions.
- Leiter (right hip impingement) is throwing a bullpen Tuesday and is scheduled to throw another Saturday.
