Feb 09

Athletics’ C John Jaso fully recovered from season-ending concussion

http://www.sportsinjuryalert.com/2014/02/athletics-c-john-jaso-fully-recovered.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook#.Uvg1g_l5M1A

By Raymond Bureau on 2/09/2014 04:30:00 PM
The Oakland Athletics continue to get good news from the injury front. On February 8, we reported that pitcher Sonny Gray (broken thumb) has resumed his throwing program in preparation for Spring Training, and we have now learned from the San Francisco Chronicle‘s Susan Slusser that catcher John Jasois fully recovered from his season-ending concussion from last July.

By Thomson200, via Wikimedia Commons (Cropped)

Jaso sat out all of August and September plus the ALDS against the Tigers because of a concussion he received when a foul tip hit him on the head in late July. He received full clearance for all baseball activities as the new year began, and Slusser indicates that he will have no limitations when Spring Training begins.

Jaso should get significant time behind the plate, but he will also join the expected rotation of designated hitters as well. Seth Smith is gone, and manager Bob Melvin plans to use the DH as a way to get his regulars some rest from the field but still some swings at the plate.
In 70 games for the Athletics last year, Jaso hit .271/.387/.372 with 3 HR and 21 RBI in 249 plate appearances. He has been a high on-base man (.364) in his five-year career with the Rays, Mariners, and Athletics. A left-handed hitter, Jaso is significantly better against right-handed pitchers, making him an ideal platoon player. The Athletics have Derek Norris and his .320 average against lefties in 2013 as Jaso’s right-handed hitting counterpart.