Athletics' Doolittle has slight rotator cuff tear; not expected to be ready for Opening Day
The Oakland Athletics will likely start the season without their closer.
Left-hander Sean Doolittle has a slight rotator cuff tear in his left shoulder, the team announced Friday.
Doolittle has received a platelet-rich plasm injection in the shoulder in an attempt to reduce inflammation and will be re-evaluated at a later date.
Asst GM David Forst tells me that doctors do not believe that Doolittle will need surgery; rest and treatment should resolve the issue.
— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) January 23, 2015
The 28-year-old spent some time on the disabled list towards the end of last season with an intercostal strain, but converted 22 of his 26 save opportunities, racking up 89 strikeouts in 62 2/3 innings pitched.
A's General manager Billy Beane acquired right-hander Tyler Clippard from the Washington Nationals earlier this month, which should help ease the loss of Doolittle.