Sean Manaea Will Miss All of the 2019 Season, Set For Shoulder Surgery
Sep 11, 2018, 12:00 AM | Updated: Jan 4, 2019, 11:34 am
(Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images)
by Matt George – Sports 1140 KHTK Reporter
Brutal blow for the Oakland Athletics, who have been on the ride of a lifetime this season, out-performing expectations with a 87-57 record in early September. Amidst the success, the A’s have been battling a plethora of injuries to their pitching rotation. Until recently, their only consistent starter was Sean Manaea, who threw a no-hitter against the Boston Red Sox back in April.
Manaea has been sidelined for the last couple weeks after experiencing tightness in his pitching arm and a drop in velocity. The A’s were hopeful that he would be able to return for Oakland’s expected playoff run. Now, that hope is no more.
Arthroscopic shoulder surgery presumably means Manaea will miss the rest of the season and postseason. Which was already expected, but more firmly shuts the door on hopes he might pitch again in 2018.
— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) September 11, 2018
The 26-year-old right handed ace will undergo a very difficult and precise shoulder surgery that not only will cost him the remainder of the 2018 season, but all of 2019 as well. Oakland Manager Bob Melvin informed the media of the surgery, saying more details would become available in the coming weeks. However he was regretfully confident that Manaea’s recovery timetable would stretch though next summer’s campaign.
The Oakland A’s are currently three games back of the Houston Astros in the AL West, and have a comfortable 7.5 game lead over the Seattle Mariners in the 2nd AL Wild Card spot. As it stands currently, the A’s will battle the New York Yankees in a single-elimination playoff in the Brox.
