A s spring training observations: Batting leadoff . Mark Canha?
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MESA, Ariz. With
Marcus Semien gone, manager
Bob Melvin named a few players who could bat leadoff for the A’s this season including novel option
Mark Canha.
Elvis Andrus, who replaces Semien at shortstop, has experience with 181 career starts for Texas in the leadoff spot. Melvin said Thursday he has also spoken to Canha and center fielder
Ramón Laureano about leading off and
Tony Kemp is another possibility.
“We do like to get guys at the top of the order who have the best chance to get on base,” said Melvin. “Even though (Canha) has some power, he can make a pitcher work, he gets on base there are some variables that would suggest he might be a candidate for it.”
A s spring training observations: Left-handers, young hitters impress
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MESA, Ariz. A’s manager
Bob Melvin spent part of Wednesday morning watching from behind the mound as left-hander
Nik Turley threw live batting practice to hitters. Then, he moved to an adjacent field to observe another left-hander,
Cole Irvin.
Both are new to the A’s; Oakland acquired Turley from the Pirates and Irvin from the Phillies in January, each for cash considerations. Both pitched in relief last season and joined the A’s when their bullpen looked thin after free-agent departures.
The A’s have since added several veteran relievers, including sinker specialist
A s Matt Olson finds fixes after I stunk last year
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Oakland Athletics Matt Olson throws during a spring training baseball practice, Monday, Feb. 22, 2021, in Mesa, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)Matt York / Associated Press
MESA, Ariz. - Matt Olson offered a candid assessment of his 2020 season during his video call with reporters Tuesday morning.
“To put it bluntly, I stunk last year in my opinion,” Olson said.
Olson, the A’s standout first baseman, at least did not match the pace of his previous seasons, even taking into account the 60-game schedule. Olson’s AVG/OBP/SLG line of .195/.310/.424 set career lows in all three categories. He hit 14 home runs, tied for seventh-most in the American League, but struck out 77 times, fourth-most among A.L. hitters, in 245 plate appearances.
A s Sean Murphy works toward return after surgery for collapsed lung
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Catcher Sean Murphy, who had two operations after suffering a collapsed lung in January, is in camp with the A’s.Tony Gutierrez / Associated Press
MESA, Ariz. A’s catcher Sean Murphy said he thought he had the coronavirus when he awoke one morning in late January with chest tightness.
“But it just kept getting worse,” Murphy said Wednesday. “So we went to the ER. They did a chest X-ray and they said, ‘Your lung’s fully collapsed. We have to do surgery right now.’”
Murphy, who is now with the A’s in camp, said he actually had two surgeries. The first inserted a tube to drain air from his chest cavity and allow his lung to reinflate.