MESA, Ariz. - Josh Phegley went away for what was expected to be minor knee surgery last season and never came back.
After the July 5 procedure to remove a cyst, fluid accumulated in Phegley’s left knee every time he tried to catch, leaving him unable to work behind the plate even two days in a row. The likely culprit: Phegley’s catching stance - he had opened up his left side more to catch the A’s many sinkerballers, but that was putting too much pressure on his right leg. Once Phegley went back to his old square catching stance, the problem resolved.