Patience key for Wilson after A's top prospect hits IL

OAKLAND -- Jacob Wilson could not have started his Major League career much better on Friday against the Angels, showing off his nifty glovework on a double-play turn and notching a single in his first plate appearance -- a first Major League hit that set up a two-run inning for the A’s.

It was a glimpse of why the debut of Oakland’s No. 1 prospect and the No. 50 prospect in baseball per MLB Pipeline came with so much anticipation. But Wilson’s encore will be on hold for a while.

Ahead of Sunday's 8-5 loss to the Angels at the Coliseum, Wilson was placed on the 10-day injured list with a left hamstring strain that occurred in his debut while rounding third base on a two-run triple by Lawrence Butler just five minutes after his first hit. Abraham Toro was reinstated from the IL as a corresponding move.

A’s manager Mark Kotsay referred to the injury as a “mid-belly” hamstring strain and was unable to provide a firm timeline for Wilson’s potential return.

"That’s going to depend on how he recovers,” Kotsay said. “But it’s definitely going to be some time."

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Wilson's aura was evident in his first game, even if it was limited to just three full innings. His joy showed through in the giant smile that came over his face while fist-bumping first-base coach Bobby Crosby upon collecting his first hit.

"The energy was there,” Kotsay said. "The excitement was there. The debut was going great all up until the hamstring became an issue and he had to exit the game."

For comparison, Toro landed on the 10-day IL with a right hamstring strain on June 22 and missed 22 games before returning on Sunday. So while Wilson’s IL placement is retroactive to July 20, which makes him eligible to come off on July 30, it is likely that the 22-year-old shortstop will require at least a few weeks of recovery time.

Before Friday’s game, Kotsay discussed the physical challenge that awaits Wilson in the big leagues -- specifically, playing every day and the durability that it requires. Wilson missed over a month while playing for Triple-A Las Vegas earlier this season due to knee tendinitis.

Before Friday’s game, Kotsay discussed the physical challenge that awaits Wilson in the big leagues -- specifically, playing every day and the durability that it requires. Wilson missed over a month while playing for Triple-A Las Vegas earlier this season due to knee tendinitis.

"It’s part of the game,” Kotsay said. "You obviously don’t want to see a player sustain an injury. For Jacob, he’s had some history with lower-half injuries since he’s been in pro ball.

"It could be a blessing. It could be something that he learns that he really needs to emphasize a lower-half routine and strength program this offseason, so that these leg issues don’t become a recurring thing for him in his career."

Wilson was recalled with a plan of everyday playing time at shortstop. Now that he will be sidelined, Max Schuemann, who was the primary shortstop before Wilson’s callup, is expected to remain in that role.

It’s certainly not a bad option considering Schuemann’s performance as of late. Entering Sunday, Schuemann was batting .395 (17-for-43) with 15 runs scored and eight walks in 14 games in July. For the month, he ranked second in the Majors in on-base percentage (.500) and fifth in batting average.

Schuemann reached base twice on Sunday in a game that saw the A’s take the lead in the fifth on Miguel Andujar’s go-ahead solo home run, before Oakland’s bullpen lost it in a five-run eighth for the Angels, who snapped an eight-game losing streak at the Coliseum.

"The job Schuemann is doing,” Kotsay said, "He’s getting on base. He’s hitting the baseball for extra-base hits. It’s really been nice to watch over the last few weeks.”

For Wilson, patience now becomes the key. Hamstring injuries can be tricky, with a return before a full recovery posing the risk of further aggravation. The next week will likely provide a clearer picture as to when he might be able to resume his promising career.

"I wanted to go back out there and try to continue,” Wilson said. “But jogging out there, I felt something that didn’t look too good to the coaches. … Hopefully it’s not too serious and we can get this thing over with so I can come back and keep playing for this team."