Kotsay to Go Under the Knife
Mark Kotsay is going to have surgery on the herniated disk in his back. He’ll miss two to three months of the season.
This leaves the A’s with two fewer outfielders than they anticipated on Opening Day. With Kielty’s knee injury, this likely opens up a spot for Rule V draft pick Ryan Goleski to make the team.
I’m concerned that every single outfielder with the exception of 1B/OF Nick Swisher has significant injury risk, though. Kotsay and Kielty are already out, Milton Bradley has missed time in the past, and Shannon Stewart is coming off of a three-year bout with plantar fasciaitis.