Luis Medina, Alex Wood Having Season-Ending Surgeries
Oakland Athletics right-hander Luis Medina (elbow) will have season-ending Tommy John surgery, and left-hander Alex Wood (shoulder) will have a season-ending shoulder procedure. Medina was scheduled to get a second opinion on his sprained right elbow after the All-Star break, which has turned out to be a worst-case scenario for the hurler. The 25-year-old righty compiled a 2-4 record and a 5.18 ERA over eight starts for the A's this year before his season ended, and he'll miss a big chunk of 2025 as well. Wood hasn't been seen on the mound since May 12 due to left rotator cuff tendinitis, having been shut down from throwing since June. The 33-year-old southpaw went 1-3 with a 5.28 ERA covering nine starts in Oakland in 2024, and his recovery timeline will likely dictate the type of interest he'll draw in free agency this offseason.
Oakland Athletics right-hander Luis Medina (elbow) is seeking a second opinion on his sprained right elbow that has damage to the UCL to determine whether he needs surgery. Medina has been sidelined since July 13 with the injury and could miss the rest of the 2024 campaign, even if he manages to avoid going under the knife. If the 25-year-old does require surgery, he'll not only miss the rest of this season but also most, if not all, of 2025. The Dominican hurler hasn't been an asset in mixed fantasy leagues in his second year in the majors, going 2-4 with a 5.18 ERA and 1.57 WHIP with 32 strikeouts and 20 walks in 40 innings pitched over just eight starts. In his 31 appearances (25 starts) since debuting in 2023, Medina has struggled to a 5.35 ERA and 1.53 WHIP with a below-average 20.4% strikeout rate and elevated 11.4% walk rate.
Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Luis Medina (elbow) was recently placed on the 15-day injured list. This move came two days after Medina allowed six runs in an ugly outing against the Boston Red Sox. Manager Mark Kotsay said he expects Medina to miss significant time. This season, Medina holds a 5.18 ERA over eight starts, so he could use some time to rest and recover. In the meantime, Ross Stripling and Osvaldo Bido are both options to replace him in the starting rotation.
Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Luis Medina (elbow) was placed on the 15-day injured list with a right elbow strain. In a corresponding move, the Athletics promoted right-handed pitcher Michael Otanez from Triple-A Las Vegas. Medina struggled in his previous start, where he allowed seven hits and six earned runs across five innings on July 11 against the Boston Red Sox. He struck out seven. Across 40 innings this season, Medina sits with a poor 5.18 ERA and 1.58 WHIP. This injury is expected to keep Medina sidelined until at least the end of July. Otanez will likely be in a bullpen role when he rejoins the major leagues, as he operated out of the pen in the minor leagues this season but might serve as an opener on some occasions with an open spot in the starting rotation.
Oakland Athletics right-hander Luis Medina (knee) gave up two runs and struck out six in 3 2/3 innings in his third minor-league rehab start with Triple-A Las Vegas on Tuesday, throwing 44 of his 72 pitches for strikes. Medina's fastball averaged 97 mph and topped out at 100.2 mph. He rejoined the big-league club on Thursday and made it through a bullpen session prior to the series finale against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Medina could now be activated from the injured list during this weekend's series against the Braves in Atlanta. The hard-throwing 25-year-old appears to have recovered from his Grade 2 MCL sprain, but it remains to be seen if the A's will use him as a starter or reliever when he's back. Medina has intriguing pure stuff, but his lack of control is pretty concerning.
Oakland Athletics right-hander Luis Medina (knee) gave up two earned runs on four hits while walking two, hitting two batters and striking out six in 3 2/3 innings in his third minor-league rehab start on Tuesday with Triple-A Las Vegas. Medina made his first start in the Arizona Complex League on May 15 and gave up six runs over two innings while striking out three. He followed that up by throwing 2 1/3 innings (42 pitches) for Vegas on May 22, allowing five runs on four hits with one walk and a strikeout. The 25-year-old made some notable improvements in his third rehab start but will probably require a few more starts in the minors before the A's consider moving him to their big-league roster. When healthy, Medina's nasty fastball-slider combination can make him a worthwhile deep-league streamer.
Oakland Athletics right-hander Luis Medina (knee) faced hitters in a 20-pitch live bullpen session at the Coliseum on Monday and came away from it feeling healthy. Medina will next head to the team's minor-league complex in Arizona and throw a simulated game on Friday. If that goes well, he could start a minor-league rehab assignment soon after that. The 25-year-old Dominican hurler is recovering from a Grade 2 MCL sprain and has yet to pitch in the big leagues at all in 2024. He made his major-league debut with the A's last year and went 3-10 with a 5.42 ERA (4.76 FIP) and 1.51 WHIP with 57 walks and 106 strikeouts in 109 2/3 innings over 23 outings (17 starts) in his rookie season. Medina has a live arm and had some decent stretches in 2023, but he's going to need to show better control when he's back healthy if he wants a chance at a rotation spot.
Luis Medina Has Grade 2 Knee Sprain, Won't Be Ready For Opening Day
Oakland Athletics right-hander Luis Medina (knee) was diagnosed with a Grade 2 MCL sprain. There is no timetable for his return, but manager Mark Kotsay said Medina definitely won't be ready for the start of the 2024 regular season at the end of March. The 24-year-old left his Cactus League start early on Monday with a right-knee sprain and arrived to the team's clubhouse on crutches on Wednesday. Medina had been competing for a spot in Oakland's Opening Day rotation this spring, but that's obviously out the window now, and he could miss the first month of the season. In his major-league debut in 2023, the Dominican hurler went 3-10 with a 5.42 ERA and 1.51 WHIP with 57 walks and 106 strikeouts in 109 2/3 innings over 23 appearances (17 starts).
Oakland A's right-hander Luis Medina departed Monday's Cactus League game against the Cincinnati Reds due to a right knee sprain. The 24-year-old was appearing in his second spring contest and has done well with six punchouts while allowing just one earned run across 3 1/3 innings of work. As a rookie, Medina tossed 109 2/3 innings with the A's in the 2023 season, working to a 5.42 ERA across 23 outings, 17 of which were starts. He also struggled to a 6.48 ERA across 6 appearances (five starts) at the Triple-A level in his 16 2/3 innings of work at that level. All things told, Medina should line up as the A's fifth starter in the 2024 season but his fantasy value is at a minimum at this point.
The Oakland Athletics reinstated rookie right-hander Luis Medina (finger) from the 15-day injured list on Monday and optioned left-hander Kirby Snead to Triple-A Las Vegas in a corresponding move. Media rejoins the team's starting rotation to face the Toronto Blue Jays after sitting out the last couple of weeks due to a blister on his pitching hand. Fantasy managers should consider the 24-year-old to be a poor streaming option to begin the week in a tough matchup, especially after he went just 3 1/3 innings in his only minor-league rehab start. In his first major-league season, Media has gone 3-8 with a 5.44 ERA (4.91 FIP), 1.53 WHIP, 43 walks and 84 strikeouts in 86 innings over 18 appearances (13 starts).
