MANNY PIÑA NEWS

Cut loose by Oakland Pina was released by the A's on Saturday.

Impact Pina was reinstated from the injured list Monday and designated for assignment, and he won't be sticking around the organization. He's been sidelined by injuries for much of the season and has played in just four big-league games.

AUGUST 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Activated and DFA'd Oakland reinstated Pina (wrist) from the 10-day injured list Monday and designated him for assignment.

Impact Pina has healed up from the bruised left wrist that sent him to the IL on July 14 and recently wrapped up a six-game rehab assignment, but the Athletics no longer had room for the veteran on the big-league roster with top prospect Tyler Soderstrom having since joined Shea Langeliers as the team's second catcher. The 36-year-old may appeal to teams seeking an experienced, defensive-savvy catcher with a bit of pop, though his $4.5 million salary for 2023 might be too rich for a No. 2 backstop. However, if Pina goes unclaimed off waivers and elects free agency, he could have a larger pool of suitors who would be willing to bring him aboard at a more team-friendly rate.

AUGUST 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Full rehab game at catcher Pina (wrist) started at catcher and played a full nine innings in Triple-A Las Vegas' win over Sugar Land on Sunday, going 2-for-4 with two walks and three runs.

Impact Pina's day at the plate was certainly a success in its own right, but the veteran's ability to log a full nine innings behind the dish inched him closer to a big-league return. Pina had also taken a full game's worth of plate appearances at designated hitter Saturday, but manager Mark Kotsay had previously stated he wanted to see the 36-year-old catch entire games on back-to-back days before springing him from the injured list.

JULY 31, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Ups workload in rehab game Pina (wrist) started at catcher and played seven innings in Triple-A Las Vegas' loss to Sugar Land on Friday, going 0-for-3.

Impact Pina had handled designated hitter duties during his most recent rehab game with the Aviators on Wednesday, so Friday's move back to defense was another step in the right direction. Manager Mark Kotsay said earlier in the week Pina will have to play back-to-back full games behind the dish before being activated.

JULY 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Activation requirements specified Pina (wrist), who's current;y on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Las Vegas, isn't expected to be activated until he's able to catch a full nine innings on back-to-back days, the t...

Impact Pina logged his second game with the Aviators on Wednesday and was in for the entirety of the game, albeit at designated hitter. The veteran put in five innings behind the dish in his debut with Las Vegas on Tuesday, but as manager Mark Kotsay emphasized Wednesday, the requirement of having Pina prove he can put in full games there on consecutive days stems from a desire to ensure he has no restrictions once activated.

JULY 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Rehab bumped to Triple-A Pina (wrist) moved his rehab assignment to Triple-A Las Vegas on Tuesday and started at catcher, going 1-for-1 with a walk and two runs before being pinch hit for in the fifth inni...

Impact Pina kicked off his rehab assignment with Single-A Stockton on Sunday and served as the designated hitter in that contest, so Tuesday represented a step forward on multiple fronts. The veteran appears to be trending toward a fairly brief stint down on the farm before being deemed ready for activation; however, it's worth noting the Athletics, which recently promoted Tyler Soderstrom, will be headed for a logjam at catcher once Pina and Carlos Perez (thumb) are both healthy.

JULY 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Initiates rehab assignment Pina (wrist) began a rehab assignment Sunday with Single-A Stockton and went 1-for-2 with a walk and a run scored while serving as the club's designated hitter.

Impact Pina was placed on Oakland's 10-day injured list July 14 with a left wrist issue but doesn't look as though he'll be in store for a long-term absence. Oakland already has two promising young catchers on the 26-man active roster in Shea Langeliers and Tyler Soderstrom, but the latter isn't particularly polished on the defensive end and is probably best suited as a first baseman or designated hitter. With that in mind, the Athletics could be comfortable carrying Pina on the roster as a third catcher whenever he's fully recovered from the wrist injury.

JULY 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

To 10-day IL Pina was placed on the 10-day injured list with a wrist injury Friday.

Impact He exited Sunday's game with ongoing issues with his left wrist, and those issues have not subsided during the break. Tyler Soderstrom was added to the active roster and is making his big-league debut Friday.

JULY 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Exits early with wrist issue Pina was removed from Sunday's loss to the Red Sox in the seventh inning due to ongoing issues with his left wrist, the team's official site reports.

Impact The veteran backstop, who didn't make his season debut until Tuesday due to a left wrist injury suffered in spring, had taken a foul tip off the wrist of his receiving hand behind the dish earlier in the game. Manager Mark Kotsay opted to pull Pina for Shea Langeliers after the former struck out in the top of the seventh inning, his final plate appearance of a 2-for-4 day. "He's been battling the wrist for a while," Kotsay said. "It's been a process for Manny and it's unfortunate that it's a recurring issue. We'll get him evaluated and see how we go forward with him."

JULY 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

First homer of 2023 Pina went 1-for-4 with a home run, one RBI and one run scored in Saturday's loss against Boston.

Impact After going hitless in his first two games since returning from the 60-day IL, Pina finally got on the board Saturday, hitting a solo home run off James Paxton in the third. Though Pina hasn't hit over .200 since 2020, he should have plenty of opportunities to earn steady playing time with Oakland considering current starter Shea Langeliers is slashing an uninspiring .205/.267/.366 through 78 games.

JULY 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Hitless in first two games Pina is 0-for-4 with a strikeout over two games since being activated from the 60-day injured list Tuesday.

Impact The veteran backstop returned to a clear-cut No. 2 role at catcher behind Shea Langeliers since his return essentially coincided with Carlos Perez hitting the injured list with a fractured left thumb. Pina has drawn starts in two of his first three games, filling in at backstop in one and designated hitter in the other.

JULY 7, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Activated from 60-day IL Pina (wrist) was activated from the 60-day injured list Tuesday.

Impact Pina is finally ready to make his debut with the Athletics following a long absence due to a left wrist injury. He will operate as the backup to Shea Langeliers.

JULY 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Initiates hitting progression The Athletics announced Sunday that Pina (wrist) is going through a hitting progression, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Impact The activity is the first sign of progress for the veteran backstop since he was pulled off a rehab assignment in early May after suffering a setback in his recovery from a left wrist injury. Pina remains without a timeline for a return, and until he completes his hitting progression and is cleared for all defensive work, he won't be cleared to restart a rehab assignment.

JUNE 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Transferred to 60-day IL Oakland transferred Pina (wrist) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day injured list Thursday.

Impact Pina suffered a setback last week while playing in a minor-league rehab game with Triple-A Las Vegas and is now out indefinitely. He's been bothered by left wrist trouble since mid-March.

MAY 11, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Suffers setback Pina (wrist) has been pulled off his rehab assignment after suffering a setback, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Impact Pina had popped three home runs in seven rehab games with Low-A Stockton and Triple-A Las Vegas but apparently re-injured his wrist in the process. It's not clear how big of a setback this is, but he'll surely have to re-start a rehab assignment once healthy enough to do so.

MAY 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Another homer in Vegas Pina (wrist) went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run in Triple-A Las Vegas' loss to Tacoma on Sunday.

Impact Pina's torrid pace at the plate during his rehab assignment continued with Sunday's timely homer, his second during his time with the Aviators and third overall during his rehab assignment. The veteran his hitting .368 overall during six rehab games and could well be deemed ready for activation before Oakland begins a three-game series against the Mariners on Tuesday.

MAY 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Raking in rehab assignment Pina (wrist) moved his rehab assignment to Triple-A Las Vegas on Tuesday and went 2-for-3 with a two-run home run and an additional run scored in a loss to Tacoma.

Impact Pina has hit .444 overall in three rehab games and has left the yard twice, with the veteran having played his first pair of contests with Single-A Stockton. The success at the higher affiliate Tuesday is certainly encouraging, and the Athletics might only need to see another rehab game or two from Pina before deeming him fit for activation.

APRIL 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Homers in first rehab game Pina (wrist) started at designated hitter and went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in Single-A Stockton's loss to Visalia on Friday.

Impact Pina kicked off his rehab assignment in notable fashion, slugging his homer in his first at-bat. The veteran backstop figures to eventually move up affiliates and play in several minor-league games overall, considering he only logged two Cactus League plate appearances before succumbing to calf and wrist injuries.

APRIL 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Starting rehab assignment Friday Pina (wrist) will begin a rehab assignment with Low-A Stockton on Friday, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Impact Pina will be the designated hitter for the Ports on Friday and then get a chance to catch Sunday. The backstop is currently dealing with a left wrist sprain and has a chance to return from the injured list in the next week. He'll likely operate as the backup catcher to Shea Langeliers once healthy.

APRIL 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Progresses to swinging bat Pina (wrist) was able to take batting practice before Friday's game against the Orioles but remains without a firm timetable for return, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicl...

Impact Pina logged all of two plate appearances in Cactus League play due to calf soreness and then the wrist inflammation that still has him awaiting his season debut. The veteran backstop, who came to Oakland as part of the three-team trade that sent Sean Murphy to Atlanta, is still without a timetable for starting a rehab assignment, per manager Mark Kotsay.

APRIL 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Placed on 10-day IL Pina was placed on the 10-day injured list by the Athletics on Thursday with a sprained left wrist.

Impact Pina tweaked his wrist in mid-March and will be out a while. Carlos Perez will back up Shea Langeliers while Pina recuperates.

MARCH 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Will begin season on IL Pina was diagnosed with left wrist inflammation Friday and will begin the season on the injured list, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Impact Pina was set to be the Athletics' backup catcher to start the 2023 season. Now that he'll be sitting out for an extended period of time, the A's will have to explore other options to back up Shea Langeliers behind the plate.

MARCH 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Visits specialist for wrist Pina visited a specialist Thursday in Atlanta for his lingering left wrist issue, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Impact It's the same specialist who conducted Pina's season-ending wrist surgery last May. The results of the review are still pending, but it sounds like the veteran catcher could be facing another extended absence. He had been in line to open the 2023 campaign as the No. 2 catcher in Oakland.

MARCH 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Injures wrist in minors game Pina's status for Opening Day is in doubt after he injured his left wrist on a swing in a minor-league game, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Impact Pina had been set to return from his calf injury this week, but now he has a new issue to deal with. He'll be evaluated before more is known about his status, but given that he's been out virtually all spring, his readiness for Opening Day seems unlikely. Shea Langeliers is the only other catcher on Oakland's 40-man roster, so the team would have to make a move to replace Pina. Tyler Soderstrom seems unlikely, but the A's do have Yohel Pozo in camp.

MARCH 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Getting closer to return Pina (calf) ran the bases prior to Sunday's Cactus League matchup against the Padres and came away without setbacks, the team's official site reports.

Impact Pina's activity level Sunday was certainly encouraging, and he's also continued to take at-bats the Athletics' minor-league complex in order to keep his timing at the plate up. Manager Mark Kotsay noted Sunday the team is targeting Tuesday's game versus the White Sox for Pina's return to game action.

MARCH 13, 2023 • ROTOWIRE