A's GM Forst says plan still is for Puk to be a starter

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Marcus Semien has played six of his eight MLB seasons with the A’s. However, the A’s loss to the Astros might have been his last. He and his manager Bob Melvin spoke about that after exiting the postseason.

When A’s rookie A.J. Puk was shut down quickly after a spring training outing in March, many were worried it would be yet another setback for the 25-year-old.

And it was.

Puk underwent left-shoulder surgery last month, in which Dr. Neal ElAtrrache performed a debridement of his labrum and rotator cuff. But despite his latest surgery -- Puk underwent Tommy John in April of 2018 -- the A’s still plan to use him as a starter. 

“We haven’t talked about anything other than him starting, and it’s still pretty early in his post-surgery rehab,” A’s general manager David Forst said on Friday. “But by all accounts, the surgery was as minimal as we had hoped and I think Nick [Paparesta], told you guys that Dr. ElAttrache put a timeline that hopefully, he could be ready for spring training.” 

Forst also said Puk is doing well following the procedure.

RELATED: Bringing Marcus Semien back a top priority for A's front office

Puk made his MLB debut during the 2019 season, where he had a 3.18 ERA and 13 strikeouts in 11 1/3 innings of relief.

He looked promising during his short-lived Cactus League outings earlier in 2020. Hopefully for Puk and the A's, this is merely another small setback for what looks to be a very promising career for the young pitcher. 

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