Athletics make multiple post-deadline roster adjustments, including IL placements for Nick Kurtz and Jeffrey Springs

The Athletics announced several post-deadline roster moves Tuesday, including injured-list placements for first baseman Nick Kurtz and left-handed pitcher Jeffrey Springs. Kurtz was placed on the 10-day injured list, while Springs went on the 15-day injured list, two transactions that immediately shift the team’s day-to-day lineup planning and pitching availability as the regular season moves deeper into the stretch run.

According to the Athletics’ announcements as reported by MLB Trade Rumors, Kurtz’s IL stint is tied to a strained right thumb. Springs, meanwhile, is out with right hip discomfort. These are the kinds of injuries that can affect more than one facet of play, thumb trouble for a hitter can change grip and bat control, and hip discomfort can force mechanical adjustments for a pitcher.

The Athletics also made corresponding moves to maintain roster balance. MLB Trade Rumors reports that right-hander J.T. Ginn was reinstated, and infielder Max Muncy was recalled from Triple-A in a pair of transactions meant to cover the spots created by the IL placements. In practical terms, those moves suggest Oakland is trying to keep contact and infield options steady while it manages health issues in the middle of the roster.

On the pitching side, the Athletics designated left-hander Ben Bowden for assignment. Bowden’s DFA is a reminder that post-deadline roster management is often less about one move and more about how teams decide to allocate bullpen spots. With multiple pitchers now under consideration, Oakland’s late-August activation picture can depend heavily on how quickly the injured starters and relievers can return.

Finally, MLB Trade Rumors reports that right-hander Chen Zhong-Ao Zhuang cleared waivers after a recent designation-for-assignment and was outrighted to Triple-A Las Vegas. Outrighting a player instead of keeping him on the active roster can be a way to preserve organizational depth while still carrying the players the team believes are most likely to contribute immediately.

Taken together, the Athletics’ sequence of transactions points to a deliberate attempt to absorb injuries without letting the active roster thin out too quickly. Still, the scope of the moves also underlines how volatile late-season rosters can be, even for teams not facing the same postseason pressure as division leaders.

What to watch next is how soon Oakland’s staff can turn over innings without losing effectiveness, particularly if Kurtz and Springs do not progress on an accelerated timetable. The team’s next roster shuffle could also hinge on which players are able to claim immediate roles once they are reinstated or recalled.

For Athletics fans, the immediate effect is straightforward: fewer lineup and pitching options available under one roof, more reliance on recalled depth, and more bullpen uncertainty as the organization continues to calibrate its 26-man roster in response to health. If the injuries linger, expect additional calls from Triple-A and further DFA or waiver moves as the team tries to keep games from being decided by roster limitations.