Athletics’ Jed Lowrie might miss remainder of 2016 season

When a vicious bunion in need of removal is only the first half of your problems, yeah; you might need to take the rest of the season off.

Oakland’s Jed Lowrie isn’t having the best week.

The 32-year-old infielder has slashed .263/.314/.322 this season, having far more success against lefties (.298 BA, .667 OPS) than righties (.252 BA, .627 OPS). Since the All-Star break, he’s been hitting .225 with only two XBH in 66 AB.

It could be said that Oakland had wanted more out of its veteran second baseman, including better defense. Lowrie has not had a particularly sock-knocking season at the plate or on the field. He’d been sitting out games due to the “extremely painful” nature of the bunion, hoping to avoid the very surgery he clearly needs.

The San Francisco Chronicle’s Susan Slusser was among the reporters in the room when Lowrie first popped his cleat off and gave horrified reporters a look at the malady.

This was bound to happen, it sounds like.

Behind Lowrie on the depth chart are Max Muncy, who has made only ten starts at second base this year, and Tyler Ladendorf, who is hitting .064 in 47 AB. Their second baseman at Triple A, Arismendy Alcantara, currently hitting .279 with a .462 SLG through 96 G, may see a promotion.

Given the casualty list stapled to the Oakland roster, it’s no surprise that they are in fourth place in the AL West, 15 games under .500. The depth chart on their team web site has run out of room naming all of the unavailable players.