Oakland Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz was hit by a pitch in the first inning of their 4-2 loss to the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday, forcing him to exit the game. Initially staying in the contest to run the bases, Kurtz did not return to his defensive position in the second inning. The team later announced that he left with a left forearm contusion. While the initial X-rays offered little clarity, A’s manager Mark Kotsay confirmed that an MRI would be conducted the next day to better assess the situation. 'We’re going to have an MRI done in the morning,' Kotsay said. 'We’ll have a better idea of what exactly is going on.' The uncertainty surrounding the X-ray results raised concern that the injury could be more severe than initially thought.
Jeff McNeil took over at first base for the remainder of the game, stepping in as a replacement for Kurtz. The loss of a key All-Star bat and fielder was a notable setback for the A’s, who were already playing close games throughout the series. With the MRI pending, the team will have more information about how long Kurtz might be sidelined and whether further treatment or rehabilitation will be necessary.
Left-hander Jacob Lopez appears to be rediscovering the form that made him a key part of the A’s rotation before a left elbow flexor strain ended his 2025 season in August. Since the All-Star break, Lopez has posted a 1.84 ERA across 14 ⅔ innings, giving up 10 hits, 8 walks, and striking out 18 batters. His most recent performance against the Red Sox was especially impressive, as he struck out a season-high 18 batters and worked into the sixth inning.
A key moment came in the fourth inning when Boston loaded the bases with one out. Lopez was at 66 pitches and had previously struggled in similar situations earlier this season, often seeing his games unravel after reaching his pitch count. But on Wednesday, he displayed maturity by getting Connor Wong to ground out to second base for a game-saving 4-6-3 double play. 'I just kind of got into another gear of let’s keep going, and I could get past that little threshold.' That shift in mindset appears to be the difference between the Lopez of 2025 and his earlier 2026 self, and it could be exactly what the A’s need down the stretch.
Lopez’s success has come at a time when the A’s need consistent pitching. His current strikeout rate, however, is down from 28.3% last season to 17.5% this year. If he can maintain his effectiveness while adjusting his approach, he could be a key contributor to the team’s playoff push.
Outfielder Lawrence Butler revealed that the A’s had a players-only meeting on Tuesday, though he declined to share specific details about the discussion. 'Just watch what happens with every single player on the field,' Butler told reporters. The meeting came during a stretch where the A’s were battling to stay competitive, and Butler has since shown signs of momentum. He went 3-for-4 with a home run and a double in Wednesday’s game, and in the 12 games since the break, he’s batting .279 with a .389 on-base percentage and a .906 OPS. That production echoes his breakout second half of the 2024 season, when he posted an .898 OPS in 61 games.
Despite his recent success, Butler came close to extending Wednesday’s game in the ninth inning with a potential walk-off home run off Aroldis Chapman. Instead, he hit a double off the wall and was stranded at third base. The A’s ultimately lost in the 10th inning, but Butler’s performance highlighted the energy shift that seemed to occur after the meeting. Whether it was a tactical change or a morale boost, the results on the field have been noticeable.
With key players like Butler performing and others showing signs of recovery, the A’s appear to be entering a crucial part of their season. Whether they can maintain this momentum will depend on both their ability to stay healthy and their continued production at the plate and on the mound.