The A¡¯s might be down one of their top relievers for an extended period of time.

After receiving MRI results on Burch Smith¡¯s right forearm on Monday morning, the A¡¯s were relieved to learn that there was no ligament damage. Given the 60-game season, however, a return in 2020 is in serious question.

Smith will refrain from throwing for at least the next two weeks. By the time he¡¯s ready to build up his arm for game action, the A¡¯s likely would be in their final weeks of the regular season.

Regardless of how long it takes for Smith to make it back, A¡¯s manager Bob Melvin looks at the MRI results as a positive. Any ligament damage, which was an initial fear after his fastball velocity dropped from 96 mph to 91 mph Saturday, would have been a severe blow for the 30-year-old Smith, who had Tommy John surgery in 2015.

¡°It is in the belly of the forearm,¡± Melvin said. ¡°It¡¯s muscular in nature, to the extent where he¡¯s at least not going to throw a baseball for two weeks. More than anything, we were hoping that the ligament wasn¡¯t involved, and that does not appear to be the case.

¡°It¡¯s going to take some time before he even plays catch again. Whether or not he pitches again this year, I¡¯m not certain. But I¡¯m really happy we¡¯re not talking about the ligament.¡±

Smith arrived to the A¡¯s from the Giants in a Spring Training trade as a long shot to make the club, but he has been a revelation out of the bullpen. The right-hander built up a 2.25 ERA over six appearances. Smith did not allow an earned run in his first 11 1/3 innings before the three-run homer by Darin Ruf that preceded his departure from the game Saturday.

Puk increases workload
Pitcher A.J. Puk continues to progress from a left shoulder strain that forced him to the injured list just before the start of the regular season. Puk, ranked by MLB Pipeline as Oakland¡¯s No. 3 prospect, threw all four of his pitches -- fastball, curveball, changeup and slider -- during a 30-pitch bullpen session on Monday at the A¡¯s alternate training site in San Jose. The 25-year-old left-hander will take two days off before throwing another session on Thursday.

Puk likely would pitch out of the bullpen upon returning to the A¡¯s this season. He pitched well in that role last season, when he posted a 3.18 ERA in 10 relief appearances and struck out 13 batters over 11 1/3 innings.