Oakland A’s: Loss of Chad Pinder underrated blow

The Oakland A’s placed Chad Pinder on the Injured List on with a strained right hamstring. His loss is a major blow to the roster.

The hits just keep coming for the Oakland A’s. Matt Chapman was lost for the season, needing surgery to repair a torn labrum in his hip. While Jake Lamb is expected to be signed, the A’s had been cobbling the position together with a combination of Vimael Machin and Chad Pinder.

But those plans are on hold. The A’s have had to place Pinder on the Injured List as well due to a strained hamstring.

Obviously, this has an immediate impact upon the A’s. Machin will likely be manning the hot corner until Lamb is officially signed, with will likely be on Monday.

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But there is more to this injury than how the A’s will handle third base. Pinder has been a valuable asset over the past four seasons, turning into a super utility player with a solid bat. He has primarily spent time at second, third, and both corner outfield positions, but has appeared at short, first, and center as well.

This season has not been up to Pinder’s usual levels. In his 57 plate appearances this season, Pinder has produced a .226/.281/.396 batting line, hitting two homers and three doubles, drawing four walks and striking out 12 times. However, he had continued to be relatively solid defensively, providing an adequate glove wherever he played.

With this loss, Machin and Tony Kemp are likely to be forced into that super utility role. Kemp has the outfield experience and can play second, while Machin has slotted everywhere around the infield in the minors. However, neither player has the type of offensive upside that Pinder can provide.

Chad Pinder is a major loss for the Oakland A’s, although it is one that will not attract the amount of attention it should.