Oakland Athletics: Can A.J. Puk be trusted going forward?

The Oakland Athletics are counting on A.J. Puk as a key part of their rotation moving forward. But should they trust that he can stay healthy?

In theory, A.J. Puk and Jesus Luzardo will pair up to lead the Oakland Athletics rotation into the new decade. Both pitchers are considered top 100 prospects, a pair of possible lefty aces that the A’s could rely upon. Both pitchers also made their major league debut last season, showing some of that promise already.

While Luzardo appears as though he could lead the A’s rotation by the end of the year, the same cannot be said with Puk. He has pitched over 40 innings in a professional season just once, doing so in 2017. But even that season led to question marks.

After his impressive showing that year, where Puk posted a solid 4.03 ERA and a 1.248 WHiP with 184 strikeouts in 125 innings, Puk was expected to contribute to the A’s sometime in 2018. Instead, he injured his elbow during spring training, undergoing Tommy John surgery.

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That was not the last of Puk’s injury woes. He had injured his shoulder during spring training this year, and would have missed the start of the season had it not been delayed. Currently, he is working his way back, hoping to be healthy whenever Opening Day happens.

Naturally, that is the good news. But it is still a potentially troubling sign for the A’s and Puk moving forward. While he has the frame to be able to handle his 100 MPH fastball, that type of velocity takes a toll on the body. Puk has already had injury issues with his elbow and his shoulder – can he withstand being a starter?

Even with the delay, it might be in the A’s long term interests to consider an innings limit for Puk at the start of the year. Deploying him as an opener, and eventually stretching him out during the season, might be the best move. While the A’s are playing for a playoff berth when the season begins, they also need to consider the next five years.

To that end, the Oakland Athletics need A.J. Puk to stay healthy. But can they trust his arm to hold up that end of the bargain? That is the question they will need to answer.