Athletics lose Brent Rooker for season with knee injury

The Athletics will miss Brent Rooker.

After appearing in 162 games last season, Rooker experienced an injury-plagued campaign, capped by a left knee injury that will cost him the rest of 2026.

The former Silver Slugger award winner rarely looked comfortable. In mid-April, Rooker endured a right oblique strain. In June, he was hobbled by a bone contusion. In 42 games this season, he slashed .200/.281/.389 with 10 home runs and 29 RBI.

One of only eight MLB players to compile at least 30 home runs over the previous three seasons, Rooker continued to find offensive success against fastballs, but little else. On off-speed pitches, his miss rate spiked.

With the two-time All-Star sidelined, Jonah Heim likely will assume primary DH duties, but catcher Shea Langeliers could receive less time behind the plate and remain in the lineup, like Wednesday's series finale against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, Calif.

The vagabond franchise has been struck with a rash of injuries recently. Zack Gelog, Tyler Soderstrom and Jacob Wilson were hobbled over the past week. The Athletics entered Wednesday on a four-game losing streak.

Team officials offered no timetable on when Rooker, who will not become an unrestricted free agent until 2031, will have his surgery or when he could return in 2027.

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