MESA, Ariz. -- The A's outfield depth took a hit Tuesday, when manager Bob Melvin announced Jake Smolinski will have surgery on his right shoulder that has been bothersome all spring.
There is no timetable for Smolinski's return following the surgery, which is scheduled for Friday. Smolinski was expected to play an important role for the A's this season, but the soreness in the 28-year-old's shoulder has limited him to just six at-bats this spring and no time in the outfield.
"He just hasn't responded well to the throwing portion of it," Melvin said. "It's consistently bothered him, so this is the direction we're going.