JJ BLEDAY NEWS

Idle against southpaw Bleday isn't in the Athletics' lineup for Saturday's game against Cleveland.

Impact The lefty-hitting Bleday will take a seat as left-hander Logan Allen prepares to start on the mound for the Guardians. Esteury Ruiz will take over in center field and bat in the leadoff spot.

APRIL 20 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting versus lefty Bleday is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's contest versus the Cardinals.

Impact The left-handed hitting Bleday will take a seat as St. Louis goes with southpaw Steven Matz as its starting pitcher. Esteury Ruiz will cover center field for the Athletics.

APRIL 17 • ROTOWIRE

Heats up at plate Sunday Bleday went 3-for-4 with a double and a run in a win over the Nationals on Sunday.

Impact Bleday authored one of two three-hit efforts for the Athletics, and he scored the run that started Oakland's rally from a five-run deficit. In the process, the outfielder snapped out of a brief 0-for-10 skid that had encompassed his previous three games, and his productive afternoon gave his batting average a welcome 34-point boost to .262.

APRIL 15 • ROTOWIRE

Drives in two Bleday went 2-for-4 with two runs batted in and a run scored during Sunday's game against the Guardians.

Impact Bleday took part in three of the Athletics' four runs Sunday, plating Esteury Ruiz on a first-inning triple and then bringing Ruiz around once again on a single in the third frame. Following the triple, Bleday was brought in on a Seth Brown single. Bleday has now hit safely in three of four games and is batting 5-for-17 overall (.294).

APRIL 1 • ROTOWIRE

First hit since IL activation Bleday went 1-for-3 with a walk and a run in a win over the Athletics on Thursday.

Impact Bleday was playing in only his second game since returning from the injured list due to a knee sprain, and after going hitless Wednesday, he got on base for the first time since Aug. 13, the last game he'd played prior to his absence. With the Athletics due to face right-handers Chase Silseth and Davis Daniel in the first two games of the season-ending weekend series against the Angels, the lefty-hitting Bleday should be set for at least another two starts in 2023 before potentially taking a seat against southpaw Kenny Rosenberg on Sunday.

SEPTEMBER 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Athletics activate OF JJ Bleday from injured list The Oakland Athletics activated outfielder JJ Bleday from the 10-day injured list on Tuesday and optioned shortstop Kevin Smith to Triple-A...

SEPTEMBER 26, 2023 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Activated from injured list Bleday (knee) was activated from the 10-day injured list Tuesday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Impact Bleday has been sidelined since mid-August with an ACL sprain in his left knee, but he'll be available for the Athletics this week after appearing in a few rehab contests. The 25-year-old should see playing time at least against righties down the stretch.

SEPTEMBER 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Stands out while playing full game Bleday (knee) took a full game's worth of plate appearances as the designated hitter in Triple-A Las Vegas' win over Reno on Saturday, going 3-for-4 with a double, a solo home run,...

Impact Bleday's night couldn't have gone much better, as the recovering outfielder continued to corroborate the improving health of his knee by suiting up for a second straight day. Bleday logged seven innings in the outfield during his rehab debut Friday night and reached safely twice in that contest, so he appears to be trending firmly in the right direction in all aspects. Bleday may only be deemed to need one more game with the Aviators before potentially being activated ahead of Tuesday's series opener against the Twins.

SEPTEMBER 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Kicks off rehab stint Bleday (knee) started in left field in Triple-A Las Vegas' loss to Reno on Friday night and played seven innings, going 1-for-3 with a walk.

Impact Bleday had a solid showing all the way around in his first rehab game, getting in an extended stint on defense while providing some offense as well. The outfielder may only need a couple of more games down on the farm before he's deemed ready for activation, which would enable him to get in multiple games at the big-league level before the conclusion of the regular season Oct. 1.

SEPTEMBER 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Beginning assignment Friday Bleday (knee) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Las Vegas on Friday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Impact With the Triple-A season nearing its end, Bleday will likely remain in Las Vegas for its final few games and could return to Oakland next week if everything goes as planned. Bleday has been out of action since mid-August due to a sprained ACL in his right knee.

SEPTEMBER 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Expected to up activity level Bleday (knee) is expected to run the bases sometime this week and may subsequently head out on a short rehab assignment, the Associated Press reports.

Impact Bleday was originally thought to very likely be done for the season when he was diagnosed with an ACL sprain in mid-August, but the outfielder has progressively been disproving that assumption over the last few weeks. Bleday's recovery has been going faster than expected, with his most recent benchmark being a live batting practice session Friday. If Bleday does indeed run the bases without setbacks in the coming days and then gets in a quick rehab assignment before the minor-league season wraps up, he could have a chance to get some big-league at-bats in before the end of the 2023 campaign on Oct. 1.

SEPTEMBER 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Live BP session on tap Bleday (knee) took batting practice for the second time in three days Wednesday and is slated for a live batting practice session Friday against Austin Pruitt (forearm), the team's...

Impact Bleday continues to make unimpeded progress from his left ACL sprain, with the recent pair of batting practice sessions coming on the heels of the outfielder gaining clearance to resume running this past weekend. The progression to live batting practice could soon be followed by a brief minor-league rehab assignment, and it increasingly appears Bleday may have a chance to log some game action before the end of the regular season.

SEPTEMBER 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Logs first BP session Bleday (knee) took batting practice Monday, Nathan Han of MLB.com reports.

Impact Bleday took the field for batting practice for the first time since going down with a left knee sprain as he continues to ramp up his baseball activities. The outfielder was also cleared to run over the weekend. A timeline for Bleday's return has yet to be established, but given his recent progress, it's not out of the question that he could take the field again in 2023.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Making progress with injury Bleday (knee) has begun running again and could take batting practice by the middle of the coming week, the Associated Press reports.

Impact The outfielder went on the injured list on Aug. 15 after an MRI revealed an ACL sprain in his left knee, and at the time, it was expected there was a good chance he'd miss the rest of the regular season. However, Saturday's update seems to indicate some tangible progress, and it seemingly gives Bleday an outside chance of returning for at least the last week of the season if his recovery process continues without setbacks.

SEPTEMBER 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Diagnosed with ACL sprain MRI results revealed a sprained ACL in Bleday's left knee Tuesday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Impact Athletics manager Mark Kotsay didn't rule Bleday out for the rest of the season, but there is no guarantee he makes it back before the end of the year. If Bleday remains out, he will finish 2023 with a .203/.313/.373 slash line with 10 homers and 27 RBI across 284 plate appearances. Carlos Perez (thumb) was brought back from the IL on Tuesday to fill Bleday's roster spot.

AUGUST 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Athletics place OF JJ Bleday, RHP Angel Felipe on IL The Oakland Athletics placed outfielder JJ Bleday on the 10-day injured list Tuesday and also sent right-hander Angel Felipe to the 15-day I...

AUGUST 15, 2023 • DEADSPIN.COM

Out with sprained knee Bleday was placed on the 10-day injured list Tuesday with a left knee sprain, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Impact The 25-year-old was held out of the lineup for Monday's matchup with the Cardinals and will be sidelined until at least the middle of next week. Carlos Perez (thumb) was reinstated from the injured list in a corresponding move, while it's likely Tony Kemp and Brent Rooker will see more action in the outfield while Bleday is on the shelf.

AUGUST 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Bows out Monday Bleday is not in the lineup for Monday's game against the Cardinals.

Impact Bleday started Oakland's first 11 games in August and posted an .898 OPS over the last six contests, but manager Mark Kotsay decided it was time for a day off. Bleday most frequently lined up in left field over the last week or so, but Esteury Ruiz will slide over and cover that spot Monday night.

AUGUST 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Launches 10th homer Saturday Bleday went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in a loss to the Nationals on Saturday.

Impact Bleday blasted a 432-foot shot to center field in the third inning to knot the game at 1-1, leaving the yard for the second time in the last four games. The 24-year-old has hit safely in four of his last five games, but the aforementioned recent pair of homers are the only extra-base hits he's tallied across the 48 plate appearances covering his last 13 games.

AUGUST 13, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Homers in Tuesday's loss Bleday went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk in Tuesday's 6-1 loss to the Rangers.

Impact Bleday accounted for two of the five baserunners the Athletics generated in the contest. He's gone a paltry 3-for-24 (.125) with two walks over seven contests in August, but he could have a clearer path to playing time now that Ramon Laureano is out of the picture. Bleday is up to a .203/.316/.370 slash line with nine homers, five stolen bases, 26 RBI, 30 runs scored and 11 doubles through 73 contests this season. He started in right field Tuesday, though he can handle all three outfield positions and is likely to move around as the Athletics see fit.

AUGUST 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

On base twice in loss Bleday went 1-for-3 with a walk and a run in a loss to the Rangers on Monday.

Impact Bleday had been mired in a 1-for-18 slump over his first five games of August before his modest breakout effort Monday. The 25-year-old coaxed his season average back over the Mendoza Line with his performance, but his atypically high 33.3 percent strikeout rate over the last 11 contests -- a stretch during which he's only produced one extra-base hit -- has resulted in an arduous period for fantasy managers.

AUGUST 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Heads to bench versus lefty Bleday is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rockies.

Impact The lefty-hitting Bleday will take a seat with southpaw Ty Blach on the bump for the Rockies, breaking a streak of 19 consecutive starts for the young outfielder. In 14 games since the All-Star break, Bleday has produced an .830 OPS while walking nearly as many times as he's struck out (12:13 BB:K) in 14 games. Even though the Oakland outfield will become more crowded when Esteury Ruiz (shoulder) likely returns from the injured list later this week, Bleday has probably done enough to keep himself secure in a near-everyday role.

JULY 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Stuffs stat sheet Bleday went 2-for-3 with a solo home run, a walk, a stolen base and two total runs scored in Sunday's 3-2 loss to the Astros.

Impact Bleday went 0-for-9 with three walks across the first three games of this series before breaking the slump Sunday. The outfielder is also starting to find a power swing with three homers over his last six contests. He's slashing .215/.332/.398 with eight homers, 24 RBI, 25 runs scored and five stolen bases across 61 contests. Bleday has improved on virtually everything except triples compared to his numbers as a rookie in 2022.

JULY 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Home run, double in win Bleday went 2-for-4 with a double and a two-run homer in Wednesday's 6-5 win over the Red Sox.

Impact Bleday tied the game 2-2 in the first inning with a two-run homer off Brayan Bello. The 25-year-old Bleday has now homered in back-to-back games after hitting just one in his previous 23 contests. Through 207 plate appearances this season, Bleday's slashing .218/.329/.397 with seven homers, 22 RBI, 23 runs scored and four steals.

JULY 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Two-run homer in win Bleday went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Tuesday's 3-0 win over the Red Sox.

Impact Bleday went deep in the second inning with his first homer since June 23. The outfielder has hit safely in nine of 13 games in July, going 11-for-47 (.234) so far this month. He's up to a .212/.325/.371 slash line with career highs in homers (six), RBI (20) and runs scored (22) while adding four stolen bases and nine doubles over 56 contests.

JULY 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE