The 25-year-old outfielder was hitting his stride before injury setback, leaving Oakland short-handed in Texas
Just as things were clicking for Denzel Clarke, the Athletics’ promising rookie center fielder, the brakes have slammed on his debut season. An MRI on Monday confirmed a grade two adductor strain, forcing the 25-year-old Canadian to the injured list, the team announced late Monday in Arlington.
Clarke, who had been heating up at the plate over the past two weeks, left Sunday’s game in Cleveland with what was initially called right hip discomfort. Now, the team has clarity—and not the kind they wanted.
Momentum meets misfortune
Clarke was in the middle of his best stretch since being called up to the majors. After a rocky start to his rookie campaign, he’d started making real noise with his bat. Over his last 12 games, Clarke went 14-for-42—a sizzling .333 average—racking up six doubles, two triples, and a home run.
He was showing flashes of the kind of power-speed combo that made scouts take notice in the minors.
Then, just like that, he pulled up lame rounding first base in Cleveland. Not dramatic, not loud—just enough of a grimace for A’s trainer Nick Paparesta to take notice. Now, it’s at least a couple of weeks on the shelf, maybe more.
“He was building confidence, no question,” said manager Mark Kotsay before Monday night’s game in Texas. “It’s tough to see him go down right now. The at-bats were just getting better and better.”
Oakland caught flat-footed in Texas
The A’s weren’t able to make a roster move in time for Monday’s series opener against the Texas Rangers. Clarke underwent his scan in Arlington earlier in the day, leaving the team scrambling without a true backup center fielder in uniform for the night.
Kotsay said a corresponding roster move would come Tuesday, and hinted that the team may dip into Triple-A Las Vegas for a short-term fix.
For now, the A’s are in patchwork mode. Brent Rooker and Lawrence Butler have both played center field in a pinch, but neither brings Clarke’s range or arm strength. That’s going to matter against Texas, with its fast outfield and tendency to stretch singles into doubles.
Just who is Denzel Clarke?
If Clarke’s name is still unfamiliar to casual fans, that might not last much longer. Drafted in the fourth round out of Cal State Northridge back in 2021, the 6-foot-5 outfielder has always intrigued scouts with his rare athletic tools.
He’s tall, fast, and can cover serious ground in center, but it’s his raw power that turned heads in the minors.
Here’s a snapshot of Clarke’s first 47 MLB games before the injury:
| Stat | Total |
|---|---|
| Batting Average | .230 |
| On-Base % | .301 |
| Slugging % | .405 |
| Home Runs | 3 |
| Stolen Bases | 7 |
While those numbers may not jump off the page just yet, the trend line was pointing up. Scouts noted improved plate discipline, fewer chases, and better contact rates in recent weeks.
Adductor strain: What it means and how long he’s out
A grade two adductor strain isn’t the worst-case scenario, but it’s no walk in the park either. The adductor muscles help control hip movement and leg stability—pretty important stuff for someone whose job is sprinting and diving on grass.
Most players with a grade two strain typically miss 2 to 4 weeks, depending on severity and rehab response.
Some quick notes about the strain:
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It typically occurs in high-speed lateral movement or overstretching
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Baseball players are especially vulnerable during base-running and defensive shifts
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Recovery can be slowed by any setback during early mobility work
Kotsay wouldn’t put an official timetable on Clarke’s return but acknowledged it was “probably going to be a couple of weeks, at least.”
Bigger picture for the A’s
The injury adds to a growing list of speed bumps for an A’s team still struggling to establish consistency in 2025. Clarke was one of the few bright spots, not just for his production but for what he represented—a homegrown talent finding his footing.
Now, they’re without their starting center fielder, and their depth chart is suddenly thin.
The Athletics, who sit fourth in the AL West, haven’t ruled out a short-term call-up from the Las Vegas Aviators. Outfielders like Daz Cameron or Cody Thomas could be options, depending on availability.
For now, the focus is on getting Clarke healthy and back on track before the season slips too far out of reach.
