MLB notebook: A's 1B Olson out after hand surgery

[March 23, 2019]  Oakland Athletics first baseman Matt Olson underwent surgery on his right hand Friday and is expected to be placed on the injured list. How long he will be out of the lineup has not been announced.

The team announced that the surgery was performed by Dr. Steven Shin at the Kerlan-Jobe Clinic in Los Angeles, and involved a hamate excision to Olson's right hand.

The injury occurred Thursday in the second game of a season-opening series against the Seattle Mariners in Tokyo on a foul tip during Olson's final at-bat. He started each of Oakland's first two games at first base and went 1-for-5.

The 25-year-old Gold Glove winner, who is beginning his fourth season with the A's, played in all 162 games last year, batting .247 with 29 home runs and 84 RBIs in his first full season in the majors. He has career totals of 53 home runs and 129 RBIs in 232 games.

--The Boston Red Sox and ace left-hander Chris Sale have agreed to a long-term contract extension, according to multiple reports.
 

The five-year deal is worth $145 million, league sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan. It adds to Sale's current contract (one year remaining) and will go through the 2024 season.

Sale, who turns 30 on March 30, is scheduled to make $15 million in 2019, completing a team-friendly five-year, $32.5 million extension he signed with the White Sox in 2013 that included two club options.

--Cincinnati Reds second baseman Scooter Gennett was helped off the field during the spring training game against the Milwaukee Brewers in Phoenix, Ariz., with an apparent right leg or groin injury.

Gennett walked gingerly as he was helped off the field, and he was later taken from the dugout on a golf cart. The team said he will have an MRI, with an update to be announced later.
 

Mar 17, 2019; Tokyo, Japan; Oakland Athletics first baseman Matt Olson (28) catches a bouncing ball to record an out during the fourth inning against the Nippon Ham Fighters at Tokyo Dome. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

Gennett was hurt while fielding a routine grounder on the outfield grass after he aligned deep as part of a shift. He moved to his left and went down on his right knee, but he fielded the ball awkwardly and was in apparent pain as he threw to first base for the out. He remained in a kneeling position before getting assistance.

--The Chicago White Sox officially announced they have agreed to terms on a six-year, $43 million contract with outfielder Eloy Jimenez, plus two club options that could extend the deal through the 2026 season.

The White Sox said Jimenez will receive a $5 million bonus in addition to $1 million in 2019, $1.5 million in 2020, $3.5 million in 2021, $6.5 million in 2022, $9.5 million in 2023 and $13 million in 2024. The team holds options for $16.5 million in 2025 and $18.5 million in 2026, with $3 million buyouts for either season.

The White Sox's top prospect and No. 3 overall in baseball, the 22-year-old had already been assigned to Triple-A Charlotte to start the upcoming season, but the deal means that he could be in the team's Opening Day lineup on March 28 at Kansas City.

--Field Level Media

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