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A’s Rookie Ruptures Testicle, Hits Home Run, Hits IL

7/22/2026

37 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Kuroda-Grauer Ruptures

Joshua Kuroda-Grauer ruptured a testicle after fouling a ball into his groin in the A’s 5-2 win over Arizona Diamondbacks, underwent surgery Tuesday and was placed on 10-day injured list.
Manager Mark Kotsay said Kuroda-Grauer may be only player to rupture a testicle, stay in the game, get a hit and play defense.
He hit his first major-league home run.
Athletics recalled Max Muncy as he went on the IL.

Summary

Kuroda-Grauer Drafted

Oakland selected Kuroda-Grauer 75th overall in the third round of the 2024 draft.
He led all minor-league players with 109 hits and a .323 average at Double-A Midland and Triple-A Las Vegas.
In 2024 at Rutgers he hit .428 with 95 hits and was Big Ten Player of the Year.
He and Brian Fitzpatrick became the first two Rutgers players under Steve Owens to reach the majors in 2026.

History

Historical Context

In September 1974, Dodgers physician Dr. Frank Jobe performed the first ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction on pitcher Tommy John, a breakthrough that later became routine. The procedure now accounts for about 35.3% of active MLB pitchers and has extended careers, a legacy echoed when Athletics rookie Joshua Kuroda-Grauer played through a ruptured testicle, illustrating modern teams’ reliance on advanced sports-medicine.

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Kuroda-Grauer Ruptures

Joshua Kuroda-Grauer ruptured a testicle after fouling a ball into his groin in the A’s 5-2 win over Arizona Diamondbacks, underwent surgery Tuesday and was placed on 10-day injured list.
Manager Mark Kotsay said Kuroda-Grauer may be only player to rupture a testicle, stay in the game, get a hit and play defense.
He hit his first major-league home run.
Athletics recalled Max Muncy as he went on the IL.

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