Athletics general manager David Forst said Tuesday that Kurtz will not be platooned, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.
The left-handed-hitting Kurtz has batted .296/.323/.482 versus lefties this season at Triple-A Las Vegas, and the Athletics want to give their top prospect a chance to be an everyday player. Kurtz will not play Tuesday against Rangers lefty Patrick Corbin, although that's more about giving him a chance to get acclimated in the majors. It's not clear whether the Athletics will officially add Kurtz to the roster Tuesday or wait until Wednesday. Kurtz is expected to serve as the Athletics' everyday first baseman, with some starts at designated hitter likely to be mixed in.
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Athletics' Nick Kurtz: May not debut until Wednesday
Rotowire
The Athletics could elect to wait until Wednesday to officially promote Kurtz from Triple-A Las Vegas with the team scheduled to face left-handed starter Patrick Corbin in Tuesday's game against the Rangers, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.
Reports surfaced earlier Monday indicating that Kurtz was set to join the big club, but the 22-year-old looks like he'll end up waiting a couple more days before making his MLB debut. Kurtz earned his spot on the big-league roster after slashing .321/.385/.655 with seven home runs over 96 plate appearances with Las Vegas to begin the season.
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Athletics' Nick Kurtz: Slated for promotion to majors
Rotowire
The Athletics are set to promote Kurtz from Triple-A Las Vegas prior to Tuesday's game against the Rangers, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.
The No. 4 overall pick in the 2024 First-Year Player Draft, Kurtz has slashed a robust .321/.385/.655 with seven home runs with Las Vegas this season and will make his major-league debut after racing through the minors. Kurtz is likely to split time between designated hitter and first base with Tyler Soderstrom, resulting in Brent Rooker seeing more starts in left field.
Kurtz is hitting .412 (14-for-37) with four home runs in eight games for Triple-A Las Vegas.
Kurtz's assignment to Triple-A is notable, as all the other top college hitters from the 2024 draft class (aside from Cam Smith) were assigned to Double-A. The No. 4 overall pick in the 2024 First-Year Player Draft, Kurtz impressed in spring training with the Athletics, putting up a .973 OPS with two home runs and a 5:7 K:BB, and hasn't slowed down. His strong start to the season could see him called up earlier rather than later as a result.
Athletics' Nick Kurtz: Receives Triple-A assignment
Rotowire
Kurtz will begin the season at Triple-A Las Vegas, MLB.com reports.
The No. 4 overall pick in the 2024 First-Year Player Draft, Kurtz impressed in spring training with the Athletics, putting up a .973 OPS with two home runs and a 5:7 K:BB. He finished his brief, 12-game pro debut at Double-A Midland and will move up a level to begin the 2025 campaign. Kurtz will be just a step away from the big leagues and has a good chance to make his major-league debut at some point this season.
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Athletics' Nick Kurtz: Returns to action Sunday
Rotowire
Kurtz (hand) went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Sunday's 8-1 win over the Cubs in Cactus League play.
Kurtz returned to action for the first time since March 15, when he was removed from a game against the Rangers after being hit in the right hand by a pitch. He served as a backup designated hitter Sunday, but Kurtz could be ready to play first base when the minor-league season opens. Widely viewed as the top prospect in the Athletics' system, Kurtz was officially reassigned to minor-league camp March 10 but has continued to make occasional Cactus League appearances since that time. He's turned in an excellent spring with a .974 OPS in 31 plate appearances.
Kurtz, who was hit by a pitch on his right hand during Saturday's game against the Rangers, underwent X-rays that came back negative, Jessica Kleinschmidt of TheComeback.com reports.
Kurtz took a fastball off his hand in the seventh inning and was taken out of the game immediately. Initial imaging didn't reveal any fractures, but he'll continue to undergo tests to determine the severity of the injury.
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Athletics' Nick Kurtz: Hit by pitch, exits game
Rotowire
Kurtz was removed from Saturday's Cactus League game against the Rangers after getting hit on the hand by a pitch, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.
Kurtz took a 94-mph fastball off his hand in the seventh inning of Saturday's contest and was immediately replaced on the basepaths. The 22-year-old prospect will presumably undergo imaging to make sure he avoided serious damage, and the team should offer an update on his status in the near future.
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