UPDATE: Langeliers has been placed on the 10-day IL with an oblique issue.
In the bottom of the sixth inning of Thursday’s game against the Twins, Shea Langeliers injured his oblique after fouling off a pitch.
Logan Davidson pinch hit for Langeliers mid at-bat.
Langeliers was DH’ing on Thursday while Willie MacIver was catching. Oblique injuries can last from a few days to months, so MacIver could find himself in a prominent role going forward. Prior to Thursday, MacIver received nine plate appearances, contributing a run, RBI and a stolen base. During his minor league career, the plate discipline had been good, with the walk rate above 10% on the regular. The strikeout rate was in the mid-20% range while the ISO was in the .150 area. Granted, most of that time was with Colorado. In 147 plate appearances with Oakland’s Triple-A team last season, MacIver had a 12.2% walk rate, 18.4% strikeout rate and .159 while slashing .389/.469/.548. It was fueled by a .480 BABIP.