Could moving up in A’s order help Marcus Semien’s average?
Could moving up in A’s order help Marcus Semien’s average?
Shortstop Marcus Semien has good power, with 23 homers, and his defense has improved this season, but his batting average has been in the .230s much of the season.
Semien has hit ninth most of the year, but with Jed Lowrie on the disabled list, he’s getting more time batting second.
“When you hit down in the lineup and the middle-of-the-order guys are on base, it’s your job to knock them in, it’s more production,” Melvin said, and in the two-spot it’s a little different.
[...] it inspires him to hit up in the lineup.
Semien hit .225 in the No. 9 spot and is 17-for-63 (.270) when batting second.
Reliever Sean Doolittle, out since June 26 with a left shoulder strain, will pitch an inning for Triple-A Nashville on Monday and will make two more appearances for the Sounds.
If all goes well, he will be back for the A’s on the next homestand.
Jesse Hahn threw a 30-pitch bullpen session and is likely to start on a rehab assignment Tuesday, then rejoin the A’s for his next start.
Oakland, which made a splash with five big international signings July 2, added another: third baseman Jordan Diaz from Colombia, who turned 16 Saturday, enabling him to officially sign.
“He’s athletic with an advanced approach at the plate,” assistant general manager Dan Feinstein said of Diaz, who is likely to play in the Dominican instructional league this fall.
Susan Slusser is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer.
Josh Phegley had his right knee drained and received an anti-inflammatory shot recently and believes he will be able to catch soon.
If not, I’ll switch to pitching, joked Phegley, who retired two batters he faced as an emergency reliever this year.