Oakland Athletics: Cactus League Ends; R.J. Alvarez Undergoes Surgery
Spring Training Ends; R.J. Alvarez Undergoes Successful Right Elbow Surgery
Oakland Athletics Roundup – Thursday, March 31
Wednesday marked the final Cactus League game of the year, as the Oakland Athletics head north for the Bay Bridge Series ahead of the regular season. The A’s finished near the bottom of the league, a half-game back from Kansas City and a game and a half ahead of the Chicago Cubs.
Their 11-15-3 record ultimately means nothing in terms of the upcoming season. In 2015, the Oakland Athletics were Cactus League winners, and that didn’t exactly translate into success during the rest of the year.
Bob Melvin put it best, as reported by San Francisco Chronicle writer Susan Slusser:
"“Last year probably skewed my view on spring training records. You know what? The most important thing is health, and guys getting their at-bats and timing getting into the season. That’s more important than won-lost record.”"
In other news, Athletics’ reliever R.J. Alvarez underwent successful elbow surgery on Wednesday. Dr. Jon Dickinson, the team orthopedist for the A’s, performed a debridement of Alvarez’s right elbow at Presidio Surgical Center in San Francisco. The A’s right-hander had developed bone chips that needed to be removed.
Alvarez will miss some time, but should pitch again this season. Last year, he posted a 9.90 ERA over 21 appearances with the big league club, but performed much better in Triple-A Nashville. He had been in the process of working on a new pitch this spring.
In Case You Missed It
Starting Rotation a Concern Heading into 2016 Season – Samantha Riley thinks that A’s fans should be concerned about the rotation this season. After seeing the last several weeks of performances, do you agree or disagree?
The Top 50 Oakland Athletics of All-Time – In #ThrowbackThursday style, a look at the Athletics 50 best players of all-time – from Philadelphia to the Coliseum, who were the greatest A’s to ever wear the Green and Gold? Be sure to check it out.
#Athletics
5th HR of spring for Matt Chapman.
— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) March 30, 2016
Ryan Dull has allowed five hits and five runs here in fifth, but final game in Az. always hard to gauge; everyone swinging early and often.
— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) March 30, 2016
Rich Hill said he was aggressive today, like he was in Sept. He said he needed this one mentally heading into 1st #Athletics start Tuesday.
— John Hickey (@JHickey3) March 30, 2016
That's a wrap for Cactus League 2K16. Hohokam Stadium, we'll see ya next year. pic.twitter.com/rVWiHHNJJb
— Oakland A's (@Athletics) March 31, 2016
Next: The A's Should Learn From the Jim Johnson Deal
Around the Web
Three Things That Could Go Right For the A’s in 2016 – OutsidePitch MLB’s Adrian Garro took a look at three ways in which the Athletics could surprise the AL West during the upcoming season. While there are plenty of other good points made within the article, perhaps the most interesting was based on a quote from Bob Melvin, in which he stated that the Athletics did an internal study and came to the conclusion that every home run hit by Khris Davis last season would have also been a home run at the Coliseum.
That would be a huge boost for the A’s lineup, given the way the Coliseum limits most power hitters. The Athletics’ hitters are routinely at a disadvantage when it comes to home runs, because so many of their games are played in a stadium that isn’t conducive to the ball flying out of the park. If the team’s internal analysis holds true this season, Davis could be a valuable part of the middle of the order.