The 2024 campaign has concluded prematurely for a duo of A’s hurlers. Manager Mark Kotsay disclosed to journalists on Thursday that right-handed pitcher Luis Medina is slated for Tommy John surgery next month. Concurrently, seasoned left-hander Alex Wood is bound for a shoulder operation to remedy rotator cuff tendinitis, as reported via the MLB.com injury tracker.
Neither revelation is particularly unexpected. Earlier in the week, the A’s revealed that Medina had incurred ligament damage in his elbow. Despite seeking further evaluation in the hope of circumventing surgery, the odds were slim. Medina is now anticipated to miss the majority, if not the entirety, of the forthcoming season.
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Medina, acquired as part of the Frankie Montas trade with the Yankees, has pitched intermittently over two seasons for Oakland. As a rookie, he posted a 5.42 ERA across 109 2/3 innings. This year, the 25-year-old made eight starts, conceding 5.18 earned runs per nine innings over 40 frames. He struck out 17.8% of opponents while walking over 11% of batters faced. Medina will accrue service time while on the injured list. The A’s can transfer him to the 60-day IL during the season to free a spot on the 40-man roster. However, they must reinstate him to the 40-man or place him on waivers next winter.
Wood signed an $8.5MM free-agent contract in February, with the A’s hoping for a revival from the veteran southpaw, who might have been a midseason trade asset if healthy. Unfortunately, that was not the case. Wood made nine appearances, recording a 5.26 ERA over 39 1/3 innings. His strikeout and walk rates were below par before landing on the IL in mid-May. Oakland moved him to the 60-day injured list a few weeks later.
This marks the third consecutive disappointing season for Wood, who last recorded an ERA under 4.00 with the Giants in 2021. He will re-enter free agency at the beginning of the offseason, turning 34 in January. It’s plausible he may be limited to minor league offers heading into next season. The A’s did not divulge extensive details on the nature of the shoulder surgery nor specify whether Wood is expected to be ready for Spring Training.
The Athletics transferred Medina (elbow) to the 60-day injured list on Friday.
This move follows Medina’s scheduled Tommy John surgery on August 6, likely side lining the 25-year-old right-hander for the 2025 campaign as well. In his eight starts this season, Medina went 2-4 with a 5.18 ERA, 1.58 WHIP, and a 32:20 K:BB ratio across 40 innings. This roster adjustment allows Oakland to reinstate Darell Hernaiz (ankle) from the 60-day IL.
