Athletics Place Zack Gelof on IL, Recall Alika Williams

Gelof, 26, exited Tuesday’s game in the second inning after his right hand was stepped on by Matt Chapman during an awkward tag play at second base. The early departure brought an end to his 24-game hitting streak, the longest in MLB over the past two seasons. It also snapped his 27-game on-base streak and his 13-game runs scored streak.

Initially, A’s manager Mark Kotsay said there were no plans to place Gelof on the IL after X-rays revealed no fracture. But when Gelof’s hand remained swollen and painful on Wednesday, Kotsay said the club would wait another 24 hours before making a decision.

It has been a resurgent season for Gelof, who owns a .282/.336/.498 slash line with 11 home runs and 29 RBI in 62 games. The former second-round pick posted an .840 OPS as a rookie in 2023 but struggled mightily over the past two seasons, striking out 36.1% of the time. He began the 2026 season at Triple-A but was quickly recalled in April after posting a 1.250 OPS in 11 Pacific Coast League games.

So far this season, Gelof has lowered his strikeout rate to 24.1%, which is still above league average but much closer than in previous seasons. He has also provided the A’s with defensive versatility, splitting time between second base, third base, center field and right field.

With Gelof sidelined, the A’s are giving Williams another chance to contribute at the big-league level. The middle infielder was optioned Monday but has performed well in a backup role, batting .289/.319/.467 with six extra-base hits in 45 at-bats. He will start at shortstop and bat ninth in Thursday’s series finale against the San Francisco Giants.

The A's enter play today with a 38-42 record and tied for second place in the American League West division at two games back. They're also just one game back of the third and final Wild Card spot in the AL.