Oakland Athletics Lose Top Player For Over A Month

As if the Oakland Athletics' 3-9 start to the season could get any worse.

Well unfortunately, it has, as outfielder Seth Brown has been diagnosed with a Grade 2 left oblique strain after sustaining the injury during a check swing in a game against the Tampa Bay Rays.

As a result, he has been placed on the 10-day injured list and is expected to be sidelined for 4-to-6 weeks.

We have placed outfielder Seth Brown on the 10-day injured list with a strained left oblique and recalled infielder Kevin Smith from Triple-A Las Vegas. pic.twitter.com/TvwH8XtxZo
— Oakland A's (@Athletics) April 10, 2023

This injury is a significant setback for the Athletics, as Brown started in each of the team's first eight games of the season and is probably their best offensive player.

With Brown out, the team will have to rely on a left field platoon of Conner Capel and Brent Rooker while Brown recovers. In order to fill Brown's spot, the A's called up infielder Kevin Smith from Triple-A.

Seth Brown takes Emmanuel Clase DEEP to tie it up in the ninth! pic.twitter.com/R68inkxqXo
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) April 4, 2023

Over the last two seasons, the 30-year-old has posted a .224/.294/.457 triple-slash line, with 45 home runs, 121 RBIs, 15 stolen bases, and 98 runs scored across 261 games played.

Brown's absence will be a significant loss for the Athletics, as they already have a shortage of talented players in their lineup and cannot afford to lose any of them. However, the team will have to make do with their current roster until Brown's return, which is expected to be in late May.

Photo Credit: Christine Peterson/Telegram & Gazette / USA TODAY NETWORK