The American League All-Star Game lost its starting first baseman this week. Athletics slugger Nick Kurtz, who was set to start for the AL, landed on the 10-day injured list Saturday with a right thumb sprain. This is a brutal blow to the Midsummer Classic, with MLB announcing that White Sox outfielder Tristan Peters will replace Kurtz on the roster. The move for Kurtz is retroactive to Friday, and he did not play in the Athletics' 14-1 loss to the White Sox in Chicago.
All-Star Slugger Nick Kurtz's Tough Break
This is a rough development for Kurtz, who’s been tearing it up. The 23-year-old is batting .266 with 20 home runs, 66 RBIs, and a league-leading 76 walks. Remember, he was the AL Rookie of the Year just last season, putting up a .290 average with 36 homers and 86 RBIs. This is only the second time in his career he’s hit the IL, after a strained left hip flexor sidelined him in May 2025. What a bummer for a guy who was absolutely mashing. To fill the roster spot, the Athletics recalled catcher Brian Serven from Triple-A Las Vegas before Saturday's game. Serven is hitting .308 with 18 doubles, seven home runs, and 41 RBIs in 55 games with Las Vegas this year, a big jump from his career .188 big league average.Rangers Reliever Chris Martin and Brewers Ace Kyle Harrison Sidelined
It wasn't just Kurtz making injury headlines. Over in Texas, the Rangers placed veteran reliever Chris Martin on the 15-day injured list on Sunday with a right shoulder injury. This is the second time he’s had this same shoulder issue this season, having just been activated from the IL on July 4. Since coming back, the 40-year-old has allowed five runs in 3 2/3 innings across four appearances. His season numbers are not pretty: 1-1 with a 9.00 ERA, giving up 25 hits in 14 innings over 16 games. The Rangers recalled right-hander Emiliano Teodo, 25, from Triple-A Round Rock. Teodo holds a 3-3 record with a 3.76 ERA in 35 relief appearances at Round Rock. Meanwhile, the Milwaukee Brewers are dealing with their own pitching problem, as left-handed pitcher Kyle Harrison went on the 15-day injured list with tightness in his throwing forearm. The move is retroactive to Thursday. Harrison had previously told reporters he was feeling elbow soreness after taking the loss in a 5-1 defeat at St. Louis on Wednesday. This is a tough break for Harrison, who’s having a breakthrough season in his first year with the Brewers, rocking an 8-2 record with a 3.01 ERA and 101 strikeouts over 83 2/3 innings. However, he has struggled recently, giving up six runs over 6 2/3 innings in his last two starts. The Brewers called up left-hander Robert Gasser from Triple-A Nashville. Gasser is 2-3 with a 4.15 ERA in eight starts with Milwaukee this season. With the All-Star Game just around the corner and teams fighting to find their stride, these injuries to key players like Kurtz, Martin, and Harrison are going to make things interesting. Can the Athletics keep rolling without their slugger, and how will the Rangers and Brewers piece together their pitching staffs? Every game matters from here on out.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.