A’s Dallas Braden Dealing With Elbow Tendinitis

With all of the injuries that the A’s have dealt with this season, another possible injury could definitely put a serious blow to the team’s chances in the second-half. Currently 9 games behind the Rangers, the A’s are slipping out the race and could become sellers at the deadline, so it’s becoming increasingly important for the players to stay on the field and out of the trainer’s room.

Dallas Braden, who was scratched in his last start due to elbow tendinitis, is said to be on track for his Saturday start against Cleveland. But, as the SF Chronicle’s Susan Slusser points out, why would the A’s allow Braden, who is said to be unable to throw any breaking balls, to make his next scheduled start before the All-Star break?

If I were Oakland, I’d skip Braden’s start and give the start to a spot starter. Then, I’d give Braden some time off, namely during the All-Star break. And if Braden isn’t fully healthy after the All-Star break, which would be mid-July, I would say there’s some serious trouble in store for both Dallas and the A’s. I mean this elbow tendinitis could linger throughout the rest of the season, meaning the A’s could potentially lose the guy who threw the MLB’s 19th perfect game.

The A’s have dealt with way too many injuries these past couple of seasons, and losing Braden would really hamper any chance(s) Oakland has making a run in the AL West during the second-half. So, all I have to say is be smart, Dallas and Oakland.