Athletics Place Mark Leiter Jr., Joshua Kuroda-Grauer On IL - MLB Trade Rumors

What the report says

MLB Trade Rumors reported that the Athletics placed two players on the injured list on July 21: right-handed reliever Mark Leiter Jr. and infielder Joshua Kuroda-Grauer. Leiter went on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to July 19, because of a right hip impingement, while Kuroda-Grauer was placed on the 10-day IL after surgery for a ruptured testicle. The club recalled right-hander Hayden Juenger and infielder Max Muncy in corresponding roster moves.

The timing is significant for Leiter because MLB Trade Rumors identified him as one of Oakland’s more plausible trade candidates before the Aug. 3 deadline. The outlet noted the Athletics were 43-57 and 8.5 games out of a playoff spot, putting them in a likely seller position. Leiter is headed toward free agency, but his market value was already limited by a 4.17 ERA since the start of 2022 despite stronger underlying indicators, including a 28% strikeout rate over that span. This is also his second IL stint this year involving the same hip issue.

Kuroda-Grauer’s injury occurred after he fouled a ball off himself in the previous night’s game, according to MLB Trade Rumors, citing video from Jomboy Media. He remained in the at-bat and singled to center before later leaving the game. The report said his recovery timeline was not clear.

Muncy’s recall gives him another opportunity in the majors after he was optioned earlier in July. MLB Trade Rumors said he had hit .227/.303/.396 with poor defensive grades at third base before being sent down.