Chad Pinder, an A’s utility player, departed the game Sunday with a left knee strain after colliding with the wall while making a catch in right field, and will get an MRI exam Monday, according to manager Bob Melvin.
To begin the game, Pinder leaped to grab Jose Altuve’s drive, colliding with the wall with his right shoulder and landing heavily.
Pinder appeared to be in evident pain, but no trainer left the bench to assess him, and after a brief pause, he returned to the game.
In the bottom of the first, Stephen Piscotty pinch-hit for Pinder, striking out against José Urquidy of Houston with the bases loaded and one out.
A struggling A’s lineup would be harmed by Pinder’s absence. On Opening Night, Pinder had two hits and a pinch-hit home run on Friday.
In the opener, he also had two highlight-reel catches in right field. The Astros swept the A’s in four games to start the season, holding them to two or less runs three times and out-hitting them 47-21.
With center fielder Ramón Laureano out due to left wrist soreness, the A’s outfield was already sparse on Sunday.
On Friday night, Laureano slammed the wrist sliding head-first into first base. Laureano is doing better, according to Melvin, and could return to the lineup on Monday.
Is Chad Pinder Married?
Chad Pinder is not married.