MESA, Ariz. – Left-hander Sean Manaea is dealing with soreness in his groin that figures to shut him down for the rest of the exhibition season.
Manaea, the A’s top pitching prospect, won’t accompany the team north for the Bay Bridge Series against the Giants. That points to him beginning the season in the minor leagues, though the A’s haven’t addressed the immediate plans for him moving forward. But the plan all along has been for him to start in the minors anyway barring a serious need in the big league rotation, and Oakland has Felix Doubront as insurance for the rotation as things stand.