Athletics' Nick Kurtz day-to-day with right oblique soreness

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Nick Kurtz is day-to-day after experiencing right oblique soreness against the Texas Rangers on Friday, Athletics manager Mark Kotsay said on Saturday.

The rookie had an MRI that returned “clean,” Kotsay said.

Kurtz was not in the lineup for the second game of a three-game series on Saturday.

He began feeling discomfort after batting practice Friday. During the game, he drew a walk, was rounding third base, and heading for home on Brent Rooker’s double in the third inning when he apparently aggravated the soreness and slowed down.

He crossed the plate to tie the game at 2-2, but walked to the clubhouse immediately after with the team medical staff.

Kotsay said there is no strain in terms of muscle tissue, but Kurtz is currently dealing with pain tolerance.

Kotsay did not say when Kurtz would return.

“We hope to get him back sooner than later,” Kotsay said.

Kurtz, a power slugger out of Wake Forest, is hitting .308 with 23 doubles, two triples, 27 home runs, and 70 RBIs this season. He is one of just three players in the majors this season to hit four home runs in a game.

Kurtz is the first rookie in major league history to hit four homers in a game and matched the MLB record for total bases with 19 in a July 25 game against the Houston Astros. He also had a double, a single, and a total of six RBIs in that game.

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Athletics' Nick Kurtz celebrates in the dugout after scoring during the second inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Sergio Estrada)

Athletics' Nick Kurtz walks to the dugout after striking out during the first inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers Friday, Aug. 29, 2025, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Sara Nevis)

Athletics' Nick Kurtz singles during the first inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Sergio Estrada)

Athletics' Nick Kurtz rounds third base before scoring during the first inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Sergio Estrada)

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Shaedon Sharpe scored 24 points and the Portland Trail Blazers overcame high-scoring Deni Avdija's absence to beat the Atlanta Hawks 117-101 on Thursday night.

Avdija missed second straight game because of lower-back soreness He’s averaging 26.1 points, 7.1 rebounds and 6.9 assists.

Portland took an 88-87 lead into the fourth quarter and pulled away. The Trail Blazers had lost two straight after winning five a row.

Jerami Grant added 16 points and Rayan Rupert had 13. Jrue Holiday scored 12 points in his third game back after missing 27 because of a right calf injury.

Onyeka Okongwu led Atlanta with 26 points. The Hawks were 1-3 on a four-game trip. They have lost nine in a row in Portland since Feb. 13, 2017.

CJ McCollum added 20 points in his third game with the Hawks since coming over from Washington in the trade that sent Trae Young to the Wizards. McCollum played his first 8 1/2 seasons with Portland.

Atlanta's Kristaps Porzingis missed his fourth straight game because of an Achilles problem.

Hawks: Host Boston on Saturday night.

Trail Blazers: Host the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday night.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

Atlanta Hawks Head Coach Quin Snyder looks to the referees during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Molly J. Smith)

Portland Trail Blazers center Donovan Clingan (23) reaches out to block a basket from Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson (1) during the first half of an NBA basketball game on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Molly J. Smith)

Atlanta Hawks guard CJ McCollum (3) dribbles past Portland Trail Blazers guard Caleb Love (2) during the first half of an NBA basketball game on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Molly J. Smith)

Atlanta Hawks forward Onyeka Okongwu (17) shoots a basket over Portland Trail Blazers center Donovan Clingan (23) during the first half of an NBA basketball game on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Molly J. Smith)

Portland Trail Blazers center Donovan Clingan (23) blocks a basket from Atlanta Hawks forward/center Onyeka Okongwu (17) during the first half of an NBA basketball game on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Molly J. Smith)