The Athletics were busy on Wednesday, making a group of roster moves ahead of their doubleheader and announcing a bevy of injury updates as well.
RHP Osvaldo Bido was called up as the 27th man to start the second game on Wednesday evening. He had a rough afternoon, going just 2.2 innings and giving up 4 runs on 3 hits and 2 walks. He did notch 4 strikeouts but ended up leaving the game early due to a blister that formed on his right middle finger.
Bido had been pitching well at Triple-A ahead of his call up but this blister could be a major setback for him. Depending on the severity of the blister, he could miss several weeks waiting for the skin to heal.
Shortstop Darell Hernaiz was officially placed on the 10-day IL with what the A's called a severe ankle sprain. It's unclear at this point how much time he'll miss but with the "severe" designation, we should expect at least a few weeks, if not more.
Rather than add another shortstop to the 40-man, the A's decided to call up Tyler Soderstrom for Wednesday's games. That leaves Max Schuemann as the only shortstop on the active roster. For now it seems like Brett Harris will serve as the backup, unless the A's make another roster move ahead of this weekend's series against the Mariners.
Speaking of shortstops, veteran Aledmys Diaz was spotted running the bases prior to the early game on Wednesday.
Martin Gallegos reported that both Diaz and second baseman Zack Gelof are set to begin rehab stints with Triple-A Las Vegas later this week and are both closing in on returning to major league action.
Diaz appeared in just two spring training games this year before getting shut down with a calf strain. He's dealt with both the calf strain and a groin injury this year and hasn't appeared in game action since February 26.
Diaz is currently on the 60-day IL and will require a corresponding roster move for the A's to add him back onto the 40-man.
Gelof has been out for about two weeks with an oblique strain. He hadn't been hitting well prior to his injury but the A's will be glad to see him back to full health. Gelof is expected to be a major part of the Athletics' future so it's important to make sure he's 100% recovered before getting him back to the majors.
The A's want to win baseball games in 2024 but if we're being honest with ourselves, they're not serious contenders this year and it doesn't make sense to jeopardize Gelof's future health for a small chance of short-term success.
In addition to Diaz, utilityman Miguel Andujar was spotted running the bases on Wednesday as well. Andujar was on fire in spring training before suffering a meniscus injury that required surgery.
He's been out of commission since the middle of March due to the procedure. His initial timeline was 6 weeks but it's proven to be a bit longer than that. He's not scheduled to begin a rehab assignment just yet but it appears that a return to baseball activity is imminent.
Lastly, bad news for Ken Waldichuk -- Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reported that the lefty would visit with surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache on Monday of next week.
Waldichuk has been out all year after undergoing a flexor tendon procedure back in 2023. We received few injury updates on him throughout the spring but this most recent one is decidedly not good news.
Dr. ElAttrache is one of the two surgeons known for performing Tommy John surgeries on major league pitchers. Visits with either him or Dr. Keith Meister typically end in some type of elbow surgery.
Athletics fans will have to hold their breath and hope for the best, but this could be a season ending doctor's visit for Waldichuk.