Ben Zobrist's injury wasn't as bad as first expected. (Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports)
ANAHEIM, Calif. — The Oakland A’s were relieved to learn that results of an MRI exam performed on the left knee of the versatile Ben Zobrist showed no ligament damage. A significant injury to Zobrist, the club’s No. 3 hitter who has started games at second base, left field and right field this season, would have been a big blow.
As it is, the MRI showed frayed cartilage, part of normal wear and tear over time. Zobrist, who hurt the knee Sunday sliding into second base, was scheduled for a cortisone shot late Monday night, meaning he would have to miss at least the next few days.
“He hits in the three spot every day, so we’re losing a significant guy here for a couple days,” A’s manager Bob Melvin said before Monday’s game against the Angels. “It just means we’ve got less bullets to fire, too, over the course of a game. But over the course of a season that happens.”
Zobrist is hoping to return soon, but would not rule out having arthroscopic surgery if the knee doesn’t get better quickly. He had arthroscopic surgery on the same knee in 2005, but said the injury doesn’t seem as bad this time.
Catcher Stephen Vogt started in the No. 3 spot Monday and filled in admirably, going 1-for-3 with a walk and a big three-run home run.
