ANAHEIM -- Just when Nick Kurtz appeared to be flourishing as the elite hitter he was projected to become, the first baseman felt something pull while running the bases during a game against the Phillies on May 24.
It turned out to be a left hip flexor strain, which landed him on the injured list.
On Monday night, Kurtz, ranked by MLB Pipeline as the Athletics’ No. 1 prospect and baseball’s No. 14 overall prospect, was back in the A’s starting lineup for their series opener against the Angels at Angel Stadium.
To clear a spot on the 26-man active roster, infielder Logan Davidson was optioned back to Triple-A Las Vegas.
Kurtz is looking to pick up where he left off. In his five most recent games before the injury, the 22-year-old rookie was enjoying a major power surge, going 7-for-17 (.412) and slugging four home runs with nine RBIs and five walks.
Kurtz played only one Minor League rehab game, getting some at-bats with Single-A Stockton on Saturday. It was all the A’s needed to see, as Kurtz went 2-for-3 and crushed a majestic two-run homer to right-center.
“Before he got injured, the at-bats were getting better,” manager Mark Kotsay said. “The plate discipline was getting better. The contact was getting better.”
Kurtz started as the designated hitter on Monday, though he is expected to resume getting the majority of reps at first base going forward. Tyler Soderstrom, who began the year as the club’s everyday first baseman before shifting to left field upon Kurtz’s arrival to the big leagues, will likely shift back to playing mostly left field.
The return of Kurtz adds another big bat to an already potent offense. (The Athletics’ .257 team batting average entering Monday was the fifth-highest in the Majors.) It also highlights a roster filled with young talent whom the A’s consider as the core that will help them get back to playoff contention.
That group is headlined by American League Rookie of the Year favorite Jacob Wilson and includes Soderstrom, Lawrence Butler, Brent Rooker, Denzel Clarke and Mason Miller.
“Having Kurtz back, you see the group that’s come together,” Kotsay said. “He’s a part of that. … It may take him a few days to get his timing back, but we’re confident that he can handle it and is ready to go.”