Oakland Athletics’ Seth Brown stands by second base after being tagged out while trying to stretch out a run-scoring double in the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, Friday, Aug. 13, 2021. Matt Chapman scored on the play.
OAKLAND — A few weeks of losses, both on and off the field, continued with outfielder Seth Brown testing positive for COVID-19 on Friday afternoon.
Brown was placed on the COVID related injured list and right-handed pitcher Daulton Jefferies was recalled as the corresponding roster move. The A’s are down two outfielders with Brown on the IL and Stephen Piscotty undergoing wrist surgery on Friday, too.
Brown is one of three confirmed COVID cases to come out of the A’s over the last two years. Traded pitcher Jesús Luzardo tested positive before the truncated 2020 season began and pitcher Frankie Montas tested positive when 2021 camp began.
Mitch Moreland was placed on and unidentified injured list for an unknown reason earlier this year. Rules do not require teams or players to communicate COVID test results for individual players.
Brown, who bounced up and down the minors, was hitting .203 with 16 home runs in 94 games with the A’s this year
Jefferies, 26, made one start with the A’s on Aug. 1 before being optioned. The A’s top pitching prospect returns to Oakland with a 4.91 ERA, 68 strikeouts and 11 walks in 15 starts with the Las Vegas Aviators. He is expected to stay with the big league team through roster expansions on Sept. 1.
