Chad Pinder’s versatility makes him valuable to A’s
Chad Pinder’s versatility makes him valuable to A’s
With one play Tuesday night, Chad Pinder showed why he has become the A’s de facto utility man.
Pinder got a crucial assist on his one-hop spin throw from right field, nailing Toronto’s Kevin Pillar trying to stretch a single with the game tied 1-1 in the fifth.
Pinder was 0-4 with three strikeouts Tuesday, and Wednesday went 0-for-2 with a sacrifice fly.
[...] since his April 16 call-up from Triple-A Nashville, the 25-year-old has been penciled in at five different positions in 25 starts: eight at shortstop, seven as the designated hitter, six at second base, three in right and one in left.
“He has given himself an opportunity to get into the lineup, really wherever,” manager Bob Melvin said, Whether it’s second, whether it’s short, whether it’s left, whether it’s right.
Shortstop Marcus Semien took swings off a tee in the batting cage for the first time since his wrist surgery and also fielded grounders.
“There’s no definitive return date,” Semien said.
Right fielder Matt Joyce (quadriceps) was out of the lineup.
Khris Davis (calf) was the designated hitter for the second straight day.
First baseman Yonder Alonso also was out of the lineup — the Blue Jays started a tough lefty (Francisco Liriano), and Alonso’s wrist ailment late last month still is being monitored.
Staff writer John Shea
Tacuma Roeback is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer.
Combo no-no:
Chris Smith (six innings), Sean Doolittle (one), Tucker Healy (one) and Simon Castro (one) combined to throw a no-hitter for Triple-Nashville at Omaha in a 4-0 win Wednesday night.