MINNEAPOLIS _ The iron man of the A's starting rotation will be out for while.
Sean Manaea, the last remaining member of the A's original starting rotation to not miss a start so far this year, was placed on the 10-day disabled list Sunday with a left shoulder impingement. Right-hander Trevor Cahill had a right elbow impingement earlier this year, and returned as soon as his 10 days were up.
In 27 starts this season, Manaea is 12-9 with a 3.59 ERA. Velocity has been an issue all season for Manaea, who began the year with a fastball around 91-92 mph after throwing 95 most of his career. At times the drop in velocity has been more alarming, such as Friday's start against the Twins in which the left-hander was pulled after just 67 pitches despite allowing just an unearned run over 5 2/3 innings.
Manaea's fastball was sitting around 87-88 mph in the fifth inning of that game, and manager Bob Melvin the next day said that limiting his workload is something they would be extra careful with down the stretch.
"I had a long conversation with him about. (Friday night) just felt like it was time to run those guys out there and give him a break," Melvin said. "We have some season left. He's made every start and there are times his velocity is down a bit. He can pitch with a lower velocity, but I think the fact that our starters have given the bullpen a rest, last night it was gonna be the other way around."
Manaea's adjustment to pitching at a lower velocity has brought mixed results so far. He was brilliant in April as he won AL Player of the Month, highlighted by his no-hitter against the Boston Red Sox, and followed that up with a bad entire May that was one of the worst months of his big league career.
Chris Bassitt, who was called up from Triple-A to start Sunday against the Twins, is an obvious candidate to replace Manaea in the rotation. Daniel Mengden and Frankie Montas, both who have had success in the majors this season and are pitching well in the minors, are also options going forward.
