Athletics' Nick Kurtz headed for MRI on left forearm

Athletics All-Star first baseman Nick Kurtz, hit by a pitch on the left forearm on Wednesday, will undergo an MRI exam on Thursday morning.

Kurtz exited the Athletics' game against the Boston Red Sox after the first inning, shortly being plunked. Boston left-hander Patrick Sandoval nailed Kurtz with an inside full-count pitch, and Kurtz was writhing in obvious pain. Kurtz eventually went to first and ran the bases before leaving the contest.

Jeff McNeil ran out to play first base at the top of the second.

"We're going to have an MRI done in the morning so we'll have a better idea of what exactly is going on," manager Mark Kotsay said after the Athletics' 4-2, 10-inning loss. "The X-rays were kind of unclear right now, so we're hoping for the best."

For the moment, the A's are calling the injury a left forearm contusion.

Kurtz was playing in just his fifth game after serving a stint on the 10-day injured list due to a right thumb capsule sprain earlier this month. He was forced out of the All-Star Game because of the thumb injury.

Kurtz is in a 1-for-30 slump over his past 10 games. The hit was a three-run homer against the Minnesota Twins on Sunday.

Overall, Kurtz is batting .260 with 21 homers and 69 RBIs. Wednesday marked his 97th appearance of the season.

The Athletics are already without four key offensive players -- All-Star catcher Shea Langeliers (knee), designated hitter Brent Rooker (season-ending knee surgery), infielder Zack Gelof (knee) and infielder Josh Kuroda-Grauer (ruptured testicle).

--Field Level Media