A's Slugger Nick Kurtz Pulled From Game Against Texas Rangers

Heading into the weekend series with the Texas Rangers, the Athletics have been rolling, winners of 21 of their past 30 games, which has seen them climb into a tie for fourth place in the AL West after being in last since the end of May.

A big reason for this surge has been rookie first baseman Nick Kurtz, who has been the best hitter in baseball since July 24, and his 2.0 fWAR has him tied with Kansas City Royals star Bobby Witt Jr. in that span.

After battling Rangers starter Jack Leiter in the bottom of the third inning and working a walk, Kurtz came around to score on Brent Rooker's two-out double that tied the game at 2-2. He didn't appear to be in any discomfort as he rounded third, but when the top of the fourth rolled around, he was taken out of the contest and replaced by Carlos Cortes.

Cortes would move to left field, while Tyler Soderstrom would slide to first base, at least initially. In the bottom of the eighth with a left-hander on the mound, A's manager Mark Kotsay would go to his bench again, using Brett Harris in place of Cortes. Harris would fly out to right, and would take over defensively at first base while Soderstrom went back to left field.

Nick Kurtz exits early on Friday

The A's would later say that Kurtz left the game with right oblique soreness. MLB.com's Martín Gallegos also reported that there was no further update on the A's first baseman following the game. "Kotsay said they hope to get him looked at tomorrow for an MRI, but noted it may be difficult since it's a holiday weeekend."