Nick Kurtz
Breakdown
Performance
NewsPowered by
Powered by
August 4, 2026
Out with thumb strain
The Athletics placed Kurtz on the 10-day injured list Tuesday, retroactive to Aug. 1, due to a strained right thumb.
Analysis
Kurtz visited a hand specialist Monday after sitting out Saturday's and Sunday's contest due to the thumb injury, and he'll be sidelined for at least another week after being diagnosed with an acute on chronic volar plate tear of the MCP joint, per Martin Gallegos of MLB.com. The 23-year-old is receiving a platelet-rich plasma injection Tuesday and is without an official timeline for his return.
August 2, 2026
Visiting hand specialist
Kurtz, who is out of the lineup Sunday against the Tigers, is scheduled to visit a hand specialist Monday in Los Angeles, after which the Athletics are expected to decide whether he'll need to go on the injured list, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.
Analysis
After being hit by a pitch Wednesday, the 23-year-old was back in the lineup for the next two games but now finds himself on the bench Sunday for a second straight contest. Kurtz underwent an MRI and X-rays before initially rejoining the starting nine Thursday, with manager Mark Kotsay saying that the X-ray results were "kind of unclear." The fact Kurtz was cleared to play indicated it was a minor injury, but he apparently has some lingering issues that warrant further evaluation.
August 2, 2026
Sitting again Sunday
Kurtz (forearm) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Tigers.
Analysis
It's the second consecutive absence for Kurtz, whose forearm is presumably still bothering him after being hit by a pitch Wednesday. The 23-year-old underwent X-rays and an MRI before returning to the lineup Thursday and Friday, but he's apparently still not 100 percent. Monday's team off day will provide him three straight days of rest heading into Tuesday's series opener in Cincinnati.
August 1, 2026
Not starting Saturday
Kurtz isn't in the Athletics' starting lineup Saturday versus Detroit.
Analysis
Kurtz was hit in the forearm by a pitch Wednesday and underwent an MRI, but he was back in the lineup both Thursday and Friday. At this point, it's unclear if his exit from the starting nine Saturday is related to that issue or if he's simply getting a day off. It's worth noting that the star first baseman slumped for most of July, slashing a meager .028/.125/.111 with just one home run and 20 strikeouts over his final 12 games of the month. Jonah Heim is starting at first base in Kurtz's stead Saturday.
July 30, 2026
In Thursday's lineup
Kurtz (forearm) will start at first base and bat leadoff Thursday against the Red Sox.
Analysis
Kurtz made an early exit from Wednesday's contest after taking a pitch off his forearm, but he's been cleared to return to the starting nine after MRI results came back clean Thursday. The 23-year-old slugger owns an .890 OPS through 426 plate appearances on the season, but he's gone just 1-for-12 with a three-run homer and seven strikeouts since returning from the injured list Saturday.
July 30, 2026
Will undergo MRI on Thursday
Athletics manager Mark Kotsay said Wednesday that Kurtz will undergo an MRI on Thursday after X-rays on his left forearm were "kind of unclear," Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.
Analysis
Kurtz was forced to depart Wednesday's contest versus the Red Sox after being struck on the forearm by a Patrick Sandoval pitch. The Athletics should offer an update on the star first baseman's status later Thursday. Kurtz just returned from the injured list less than a week ago after missing time with a thumb injury.
July 30, 2026
Exits after HBP
Kurtz was removed from Wednesday's game against the Red Sox after getting hit on the forearm by a pitch, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.
Analysis
Kurtz initially remained in the game after taking a 95-mph sinker off his left arm in the first inning, but he was replaced in the field at the start of the second frame. The A's have officially diagnosed him with a contusion, per Gallegos, which suggests that Kurtz managed to escape the incident without suffering a fracture. Jeff McNeil entered the game as Kurtz's replacement at first base and would be the favorite to start if the latter needs to miss time.
