The promising start to Edward Mujica’s tenure with the Oakland A’s hit a snag Thursday night.
The right-handed reliever, whom the Boston Red Sox traded to the A’s earlier this month for cash considerations, was struck by a line drive during Oakland’s 3-0 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays.
Mujica was able to corral the ball and fire to first for the out, but he was in obvious pain afterward and immediately left the game. The team told reporters after the game that Mujica had suffered a fractured right thumb that will land him on the disabled list.
“Mujica’s hand got cut on the play, and the ball was covered in blood after he made the throw to first,” wrote CSNBayArea.com’s Joe Stiglich, who clarified that the fracture was a minor one.
The setback comes at an inopportune time for both Mujica and the A’s, who have dropped 13 of their last 15 games while being ravaged by injuries. After posting a 4.61 ERA in 11 appearances with Boston this season, Mujica seemed to find a rhythm following the trade, tossing 5 1/3 scoreless innings over his first five outings with Oakland.
Photo via Kim Klement/USA TODAY Sports Images
