Athletics Place Rookie Joshua Kuroda-Grauer on Injured List After Emergency Surgery

The Oakland Athletics placed rookie infielder Joshua Kuroda-Grauer on the 10-day injured list following emergency surgery for a ruptured testicle caused by a foul ball in the fifth inning of their 5-2 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix on July 20. He remained in the game, recorded a single, and was later replaced at third base. The club also moved right-hander Mark Leiter Jr. to the 15-day injured list with a right hip impingement, retroactive to July 19. Right-hander Hayden Juenger and infielder Max Muncy were recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas to fill the roster spots.

ESPNUSA Today

Kuroda-Grauer was called up from the Las Vegas Aviators on June 29. In his first 16 major-league games he batted .417 with seven doubles and hit his first career home run on July 20, finishing that game 2-for-3. Mark Leiter Jr., 35, is returning from a prior hip-impingement stint that began on June 17. He has not allowed a run in 17 of his last 18 appearances, posting a 0.50 ERA over that span, and holds a season line of 0-1 with a 4.28 ERA and four saves in 36 relief outings.

ESPN

The Athletics said Kuroda-Grauer was “resting comfortably” after the surgery. Manager Mark Kotsay visited the player in the hospital and told MLB.com reporter Martín Gallegos that the rookie was in “great spirits.”

USA Today

• Kuroda-Grauer: .417 batting average, seven doubles, first career homer, 2-for-3 on July 20.

USA Today

• Leiter Jr.: 0.50 ERA in his last 17 of 18 games, overall 4.28 ERA, four saves, 36 relief appearances.

ESPN

• “He was joking. His personality is amazing,” — Mark Kotsay, athletics manager

USA Today