A’s Jake Smolinski not worried about replacing Josh Reddick
Shortly before midnight Thursday in Nashville, Jake Smolinski was heading to bed when his phone buzzed.
By Friday afternoon, he was at his Coliseum locker preparing to start at right field.
Last season, after Oakland picked him up off waivers from Texas, he hit .226 with five home runs and 20 RBIs in 41 games.
When Reddick was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a fractured left thumb, manager Bob Melvin figured the right-handed Smolinski would be an ideal fit Friday against Yankees lefty C.C. Sabathia.
The A’s are still waiting for Dr. James Andrews, who performed the July 28 surgery on right-hander Henderson Alvarez’s right shoulder, to review Alvarez’s latest MRI.
Outfielder Sam Fuld, who underwent surgery Wednesday on his right shoulder, is heading to Florida to recover for the next couple weeks. …
First baseman Mark Canha will have his season-ending hip surgery Tuesday. …
Catcher Josh Phegley (knee) will play at least four rehab games with Nashville, three at catcher and one at designated hitter. …
Right-hander R.J. Alvarez (shoulder) threw 10 pitches off a mound and will toss a full bullpen session Sunday.