Yoenis Cespedes injury: Athletics place outfielder on disabled list

The outfielder sprained a muscle in his left hand, and will not be able to swing a bat until the injury heals.

By Connor Moylan Apr 13, 2013, 4:31pm EDT

The Oakland Athletics have placed outfielder Yoenis Cespedes on the disabled list with a sprained muscle in his left hand, first reported by Athletics beat writer Susan Slusser. In a corresponding move, Oakland is recalling outfielder Michael Taylor to fill the open roster spot.

Athletics Nation: Donaldson hits walk-off homer

Manager Bob Melvin said that Cespedes hurt his thumb with an awkward slide in the eighth inning of the team's game on Friday against the Detroit Tigers. The outfielder missed time last May with a similar muscle strain, but a MRI taken this morning revealed no structural damage.

Cespedes had gotten off to a quiet start to the season, hitting .200/.298/.450 in his first 47 plate appearances. The outfielder did flash impressive power during the first 11 games, smacking three home runs and a double.

Oakland recalled Taylor from Triple-A Sacramento to occupy Cespedes' roster spot. The outfielder had smoked the ball in his first nine games, hitting .410/.452/.769 with three home runs. The 27 year-old has played sparingly for Oakland the past two seasons, hitting .176/.250/.255 in 56 plate appearances.

Chris Young is expected to play everyday with Cespedes out, but Taylor should have an opportunity for some at-bats, as Coco Crisp is currently battling a slight groin strain. Melvin plans to rest Crisp, as the team does not want both outfielders on the DL.