Blab Sports
Oakland Athletics All-Star Nick Kurtz Likely Misses Rest of 2026 Season After Thumb Injury
The Oakland Athletics’ first baseman, Nick Kurtz, will probably not return for the remainder of the 2026 Major League Baseball season. Manager Mark Kotsay confirmed that Kurtz, who has been sidelined for the last ten games, will wear a thumb brace for at least four weeks following a platelet‑rich plasma (PRP) injection on August 4.
Kurtz’s injury is a lingering thumb problem that first forced him onto the injured list on July 11, causing him to miss ten games. He was activated on July 13, but struggled in his return, going 1‑for‑18 in seven games. The thumb injury has now required a PRP injection, a treatment that has mixed evidence of effectiveness in sports medicine.
According to Kotsay, the brace will limit Kurtz’s mobility for the next month and a half, shrinking the window for a comeback before the season ends. The Athletics are 47‑72 as of the Tuesday game against the Tampa Bay Rays, a record that places them far from a playoff berth. With no postseason incentive, the team is unlikely to rush Kurtz’s recovery.
Kurtz has been one of the bright spots for a season that has otherwise been disappointing for Oakland. Through 99 games, he is batting .256 with 21 home runs—second on the team—69 RBIs—first on the team—, and 79 walks—also first. His on‑base plus slugging (OPS) of .859 is the highest among qualified Athletics hitters.
The 6‑ft‑5‑in. first baseman also delivered a historic single‑game performance in July, going 6‑for‑6 with four home runs in a win over the Houston Astros. That feat was the most productive at‑bats in a single game in the modern era.
With Kurtz out, the Athletics will rely on Jeff McNeil, who joined the club in his first season after an eight‑year tenure with the New York Mets, to fill the first‑base position.
Kurtz’s nickname, “Big Amish,” is derived from a story about his upbringing in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and has become a recognizable moniker among fans.
The PRP injection was administered in Los Angeles, where the Athletics’ medical staff performed the procedure to promote healing of the thumb’s soft tissues. While PRP is used in various sports contexts, studies have shown inconsistent outcomes.
Kotsay’s update came before the Tuesday game, and the Athletics’ front office has not announced any alternative roster moves beyond placing McNeil at first base.
The team’s 47‑72 record indicates that the 2026 season is largely over in terms of competitive relevance. The Athletics will finish the season with a roster that includes Kurtz on the injured list and McNeil as the starting first baseman.
In short, Nick Kurtz is unlikely to return before the end of the 2026 season. The Athletics will continue to play with Jeff McNeil at first base, and the team’s record suggests that the rest of the season will be a rebuilding and development period rather than a playoff push.
The Athletics’ management has not indicated any plans to trade or release Kurtz, and no other roster changes have been announced. The team will focus on player development and preparing for the next season while Kurtz recovers from his thumb injury.
The 2026 season will conclude with the Athletics’ final games, and the team will look to evaluate its roster and prospects for the upcoming offseason.
The Athletics’ record, player statistics, and injury updates are based on official MLB data and statements from the team’s manager and front office.
Kurtz’s injury is a lingering thumb problem that first forced him onto the injured list on July 11, causing him to miss ten games. He was activated on July 13, but struggled in his return, going 1‑for‑18 in seven games. The thumb injury has now required a PRP injection, a treatment that has mixed evidence of effectiveness in sports medicine.
According to Kotsay, the brace will limit Kurtz’s mobility for the next month and a half, shrinking the window for a comeback before the season ends. The Athletics are 47‑72 as of the Tuesday game against the Tampa Bay Rays, a record that places them far from a playoff berth. With no postseason incentive, the team is unlikely to rush Kurtz’s recovery.
Kurtz has been one of the bright spots for a season that has otherwise been disappointing for Oakland. Through 99 games, he is batting .256 with 21 home runs—second on the team—69 RBIs—first on the team—, and 79 walks—also first. His on‑base plus slugging (OPS) of .859 is the highest among qualified Athletics hitters.
The 6‑ft‑5‑in. first baseman also delivered a historic single‑game performance in July, going 6‑for‑6 with four home runs in a win over the Houston Astros. That feat was the most productive at‑bats in a single game in the modern era.
With Kurtz out, the Athletics will rely on Jeff McNeil, who joined the club in his first season after an eight‑year tenure with the New York Mets, to fill the first‑base position.
Kurtz’s nickname, “Big Amish,” is derived from a story about his upbringing in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and has become a recognizable moniker among fans.
The PRP injection was administered in Los Angeles, where the Athletics’ medical staff performed the procedure to promote healing of the thumb’s soft tissues. While PRP is used in various sports contexts, studies have shown inconsistent outcomes.
Kotsay’s update came before the Tuesday game, and the Athletics’ front office has not announced any alternative roster moves beyond placing McNeil at first base.
The team’s 47‑72 record indicates that the 2026 season is largely over in terms of competitive relevance. The Athletics will finish the season with a roster that includes Kurtz on the injured list and McNeil as the starting first baseman.
In short, Nick Kurtz is unlikely to return before the end of the 2026 season. The Athletics will continue to play with Jeff McNeil at first base, and the team’s record suggests that the rest of the season will be a rebuilding and development period rather than a playoff push.
The Athletics’ management has not indicated any plans to trade or release Kurtz, and no other roster changes have been announced. The team will focus on player development and preparing for the next season while Kurtz recovers from his thumb injury.
The 2026 season will conclude with the Athletics’ final games, and the team will look to evaluate its roster and prospects for the upcoming offseason.
The Athletics’ record, player statistics, and injury updates are based on official MLB data and statements from the team’s manager and front office.
