Oakland A’s starting pitcher A.J. Puk will start the season on the injured list with a strained shoulder, the team announced yesterday. Puk, who was expected to be the team’s fifth starter, will be replaced in the rotation by Daniel Mengden.
Puk, a 25 year old 6’7” left hander, was the sixth overall pick in the 2016 draft out of the University of Florida. After a solid 2018 season between high-A and AA, Puk was seen as a top 30-40 prospect in baseball heading into spring training, and seemed likely to make his major league debut at some point that season.