Nick Kurtz Exits Game vs. Red Sox After HBP Bruise
A's first baseman Nick Kurtz left Wednesday night's game against the Boston Red Sox with a bruised forearm after being hit by a pitch.
Kurtz was batting in the first inning with a 3-2 count when he was struck on the left forearm by a 95 mph sinker thrown by Red Sox starter Patrick Sandoval. The injury marked a setback for the A's, who had just welcomed Kurtz back to the lineup on Saturday after he missed time with a right thumb sprain.
The A's are currently in a tight AL West division race, and the loss of Kurtz's power-hitting and ability to draw walks could be a significant blow. Kurtz is batting .260, leads the A's with 21 home runs, and is third in the majors with 77 walks.
Kurtz's return to the lineup was a welcome sight for the A's, who have been struggling to find consistent offense this season. With the injury to his thumb, Kurtz missed several games, but he's now back and contributing to the A's' lineup.
The A's will need to find a way to replace Kurtz's production in the coming days, as they face a tough schedule with games against the Red Sox and other AL West opponents. Kurtz's status for the next game is uncertain, and the A's will be closely monitoring his progress.
Kurtz's injury is a reminder of the physical toll that the MLB season takes on players. The A's will need to be careful in managing Kurtz's workload and ensuring that he's fully healed before returning to the lineup.
Source: Yahoo Sports