Danny Valencia has been a key cog in the middle of the Oakland Athletics lineup this season, but the veteran utility man left Wednesday’s game with a strained hamstring and has been placed on the disabled list, per Joe Stiglich of CSN.
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Valencia Out vs. Yankees
Thursday, April 21
The Athletics announced Valencia is not in the starting lineup against New York on Thursday.
Valencia Provides Solid Contact in Middle of A’s Lineup
Oakland manager Bob Melvin has used Valencia primarily as his cleanup hitter so far this season. The 31-year-old is an unusual choice to hit in the middle of the order because of his lack of pop, but he entered Wednesday leading the A’s in batting average (.286) and on-base percentage (.340).
Valencia did have a career year in 2015 with an .864 OPS and 18 home runs—just the second time in six seasons he reached double digits in homers. Chris Coghlan slid over to third base after Valencia exited the game, with Jed Lowrie going from designated hitter to second base.
The Athletics don’t have a potent offense, only scoring 40 runs through 14 games this season, so they can’t afford to lose any of their starters for a long period of time.
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