Athletics’ Nick Kurtz to get MRI after leaving game vs. Red Sox with bruised left forearm

Oakland Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz left Wednesday’s game against the Boston Red Sox after taking a hit-by-pitch to his left forearm. The 23-year-old was removed from the contest and X-rays were taken once he was out, according to Athletics manager Mark Kotsay, who said the results were inconclusive.

After the incident, the club elected to go further diagnostically. Kurtz will undergo an MRI test, with the aim of clarifying the extent of the bruising and checking for any underlying damage that might not show up clearly on initial X-rays.

For hitters, forearm bruises can range from a painful, short-term setback to an injury that affects grip, bat speed, and follow-through. Even when X-rays are not alarming, the MRI is often used to evaluate soft-tissue and bone stress concerns that can be harder to detect early.

The timing of the testing adds urgency for the Athletics’ immediate lineup planning. As of the report, Kurtz’s availability beyond the game was not defined, and the next steps are tied to the MRI outcome rather than the first imaging results.

The game context matters in the decision-making. A player removed after a hit-by-pitch typically receives an immediate medical assessment, and inconclusive imaging can lead to additional workup to prevent returning too quickly. In this case, the Athletics indicated they were not satisfied with the first look and moved to MRI.

Boston’s pitching staff will now be watched for how they address similar situations moving forward, but the practical short-term question centers on Oakland: whether Kurtz’s forearm can hold up enough for him to resume hitting and fielding, or whether he needs a longer recovery window.

What to watch next is straightforward. The Athletics’ follow-up decision after the MRI, including whether Kurtz can be cleared for activity, will shape the club’s day-to-day roster configuration at first base and around the infield, and it will determine how quickly their offense can regain its usual rhythm.