Following landing awkwardly on his right knee after a spectacular leaping catch for the game’s first out, he suffered a sprained MCL.
When Stephen Piscotty came up to bat in the bottom of the first, Pinder finished out the inning in right field after consulting with the Athletics’ training staff when he returned to the dugout.
As soon as Monday rolls around, Pinder will be having an MRI.
The Oakland A’s were already without center fielder Ramón Laureano, who has a sprained left wrist after diving for a groundout in Friday’s defeat over Houston.
A’s manager Bob Melvin expressed confidence in Laureano’s chances of returning during the team’s upcoming three-game series against the Dodgers, which begins on Monday at the Coliseum.
Melvin spoke to media via Zoom on Sunday morning.
The A’s would be harmed by Pinder’s extended absence. One of the few bright spots in a sluggish 0-4 start to the season, he made two highlight-reel plays on defense Thursday night then smashed the A’s first home run of the season, a two-run bomb to left, on Friday.
Piscotty and Ka’ai Tom, who started in left field on Sunday, are likely to share time in right field for as long as Pinder is out.
What Number Is Chad Pinder?
Chad Pinder is number 10.