A’s OF Nick Martini Has Right Knee Sprain, Could Miss Opening Day

The injury bug bit the Oakland A’s early this season. Outfielder Nick Martini exited the team’s Spring Training game Tuesday with what was originally called a back injury. The ailment was revealed to be a right knee sprain that will sideline Martini for at least two weeks.

Right knee sprain for Martini. He will be out a couple of weeks.

— Julian McWilliams (@JulianMack105) February 28, 2019

Typically an injury at this point in the spring isn’t terrible, but a truncated exhibition season thanks to the team’s early Opening Day in Japan makes a knee sprain more significant for Martini.

The 28-year-old debuted with Oakland last season after toiling around the minors in the St. Louis Cardinals’ system. He slashed .296/.397/.414 in 179 plate appearances across 55 games. His 11.7 percent walk rate was the second-highest on the team. Martini was going to have to have a strong spring to solidify his roster spot in a crowded outfield even with his superb Major League showing last season,

With the team leaving for Japan on March 14, and opening their regular season slate on March 20 vs, the Mariners, Martini’s opportunities become even more limited. There will certainly be a job for the A’s second-year outfielder at some point this season, but an injury at this point in a short spring will make it difficult to carve out that role by Opening Day.