The Oakland Athletics have already played two regular season games with the Seattle Mariners over in Japan, so they're already in regular season mode when it comes to injuries and moves. They made a move just 24 hours before the official Opening Day, acquiring first baseman/designated hitter Kendrys Morales from the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday. The Athletics dropped both games to the Mariners in Japan, and also lost first baseman Matt Olson to a broken bone in his right hand. With that injury, Morales is expected to play first base for the A's.
The 35-year-old will quickly be placed in to their starting lineup on Thursday against the Los Angeles Angels, in for Olson, who suffered the injury in the second game of the season. He underwent surgery the following day, but there is no official timetable for his return. According to sources close to the situation, he is expected to miss about a month or two.
Morales, a switch-hitter, batted .249 with 21 home runs and 57 RBIs in 130 games with the Blue Jays last season, which was his second season with them. He is in the final year of a three-year, $33 million contract, although, the Blue Jays are still responsible for $10 million of the $12 million that is remaining. The Blue Jays open up their season at home on Thursday against the Detroit Tigers, but will now rely on Justin Smoak and Teoscar Hernandez for a lot more of the power that they are use to displaying.
The 35-year-old will quickly be placed in to their starting lineup on Thursday against the Los Angeles Angels, in for Olson, who suffered the injury in the second game of the season. He underwent surgery the following day, but there is no official timetable for his return. According to sources close to the situation, he is expected to miss about a month or two.
Morales, a switch-hitter, batted .249 with 21 home runs and 57 RBIs in 130 games with the Blue Jays last season, which was his second season with them. He is in the final year of a three-year, $33 million contract, although, the Blue Jays are still responsible for $10 million of the $12 million that is remaining. The Blue Jays open up their season at home on Thursday against the Detroit Tigers, but will now rely on Justin Smoak and Teoscar Hernandez for a lot more of the power that they are use to displaying.
