OAKLAND -- When Stephen Piscotty slid awkwardly into second base Saturday in Anaheim, the A's feared the worst. Fortunately, Piscotty's MRI revealed no tear and the diagnosis remains a sprained right knee.
"We caught a serious break, I think," said A's manager Bob Melvin. "Seeing the slide and seeing his face on the field and taking him off, I have to admit it crossed my mind that he might be out for the season. But it's not going to be that."
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SIGN UP HERE Melvin still expects Piscotty to be out for about a month, although he noted that was probably getting ahead of himself.
"Certain guys respond differently," Melvin said. "You never really know how severe it is in there. But we know there's no tear and that's a good thing. It's just all about getting him through the process of strengthening and rehabbing, and then hopefully get him back out on the field sooner than later."
Piscotty is in his second season with the A's after starting his career with the Cardinals. The 28-year-old is slashing .242/.306/.391 with nine home runs and 34 RBI in 76 games this season.
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In Piscotty's absence, Mark Canha figures to see the bulk of the action in right field, with Robbie Grossman and Chad Pinder likely sharing time in left. Canha is slashing .236/.378/.514 with 11 home runs and 21 RBI in 53 games, while Grossman and Pinder have also been productive in stretches.
Canha will start in right field Tuesday night against the Twins, while Grossman gets the nod in left.
