Joshua Kuroda-Grauer was back in the Athletics’ lineup Tuesday night at Sutter Health Park, starting at second base against the Angels after a recovery that once appeared likely to end his 2026 season.
The result
The 23-year-old infielder was activated from the 60-day injured list before the series opener, returning less than 10 weeks after emergency surgery for a ruptured testicle on July 20. He had played three rehabilitation games with Triple-A Las Vegas before rejoining the A’s.
It was an uncommon injury with little useful precedent. Adrian Beltre missed roughly five and a half weeks after suffering a comparable injury with Seattle in 2009, but there was no clear timetable for Kuroda-Grauer when he underwent the procedure.
“When it happened, I thought my season was over,” Kuroda-Grauer said.
For about a month, simply returning to a normal walk was the task. He remained mostly inactive while the swelling subsided, then had to rebuild his conditioning after being cleared for baseball work around the middle of August.
“I was basically sitting around for a month because it was such a different injury,” he said. “The treatment was rest, which was tough because I’m always active. I always want to be out doing things.”
The return came after an eye-opening opening stretch in the majors. Since debuting June 29, Kuroda-Grauer had gone 25-for-60, a .417 average, before the injury interrupted his season. His 25 hits through his first 16 big league games matched Eddie Murphy’s 1912 club mark for an A’s player in that span.
| Joshua Kuroda-Grauer before injury | Figure |
|---|---|
| Major League debut | June 29, 2026 |
| Batting average | .417 |
| Hits | 25-for-60 |
| Games to begin career | 16 |
| Club record matched | 25 hits, Eddie Murphy (1912) |
Manager Mark Kotsay said the club wanted to give Kuroda-Grauer a chance to close the season on the field, with his medical condition and overall fitness both in a good place.
“He earned the opportunity with what he did here before the injury,” Kotsay said.
The rotation next
Kuroda-Grauer’s start at second base was a meaningful sign that the A’s view him as fully recovered. Over the final week, he could also see work at shortstop and third base, adding to the versatility that helped him reach the majors.
The A’s No. 4 prospect does not need a long final audition to change the impression he made in June and July. His early contact work, combined with his ability to move around the infield, has already placed him in position to compete for a substantial role in 2027.
Kuroda-Grauer said the forced pause was frustrating, particularly after he had begun to establish himself, but he chose to treat it as a moment to reset.
“I put it in perspective,” he said. “I told myself that, for some reason, God wanted me to take a break. Whether it was two months or however long, He has a plan for me, and I trust that. Being back now tells me it was part of that plan. I’m really grateful.”
For Kuroda-Grauer, the final games are less about chasing a stat line than carrying a healthy body and renewed confidence into the winter. “It gave me confidence that I can be here and compete,” he said. “Getting back healthy and taking that into the offseason will be big for 2027, getting my mind right and improving for next year.”
