As the Oakland Athletics head into the most critical stretch of the regular season, they'll be without closer for at least a couple of weeks.
According to Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register, the 2014 All-Star is suffering from an intercostal strain and was placed on the disabled list:
The A s just placed Sean Doolittle on the DL with an intercostal strain. Jeff Fletcher (@JeffFletcherOCR)
MLB.com's Jane Lee thinks that the closer could miss serious time and added the current timetable for his return:
For those asking, have to think Doolittle is likely to miss at least three weeks. That s probably best-case scenario. Could be longer. Jane Lee (@JaneMLB)
No timetable for Doolittle. Says he s obviously upset but ready to focus all of his energy on recovery. Jane Lee (@JaneMLB)
In conjunction with Doolittle's move to the DL, the A's have called up Dan Otero from Triple-A, per Jorge L. Ortiz of USA Today:
A s put closer Sean Doolittle on the DL with a strained right intercostal and call up fellow reliever Dan Otero from Class AAA Sacramento. Jorge L. Ortiz (@jorgelortiz)
Doolittle was hurt on Saturday night against the Los Angeles Angels. After the game, he sounded hopeful about his prognosis.
"If I was not able to do some of the stuff they asked me to do, it'd be a different story," said Doolittle, per . "I probably wouldn't be out here talking to you guys. [The trainers] were encouraged by that, and I think early signs are pointed in the right direction."
In 54 appearances in 2014, Doolittle leads the Athletics with 20 saves while posting an ERA of 2.28. Oakland is unable to find a suitable replacement for Doolittle this late in the season. Instead, manager Bob Melvin said that he'll employ a closer-by-committee approach, via ESPN's Jim Bowden:
Melvin said that Gregerson will stay in 8th and Otero, Cook O Flaherty will be closer by committee depending on best match-ups Jim Bowden (@JimBowden_ESPN)
Eric O'Flaherty is the only player among that trio to have not recorded a save this year. Otero and Ryan Cook each have a save apiece, so they're at least familiar with pitching in high-pressure, late-inning situations. They should be serviceable replacements for the short term.
Until Doolittle returns, though, there will be a hole in the A's bullpen, which is exactly what the team doesn't want as it tries to jump ahead of the Angels in the American League West.