By Mauricio Segura August 24, 2025
Photo: Mauricio Segura
One of the most intriguing chapters of the Athletics’ season added a fresh twist Friday when rookie shortstop Jacob Wilson returned from the injured list. The green and gold have been one of baseball’s hottest clubs, charging to a 17-8 record since late July, and Wilson’s reappearance couldn’t have come at a better time. His first game back was almost storybook, delivering an RBI single in the ninth inning against Seattle closer Andrés Muñoz before the rally fizzled in a narrow 3-2 loss. Still, the moment signaled that Wilson’s bat, quiet for weeks, may finally be alive again.
The road back was anything but simple. Wilson’s troubles began July 8, when a pitch struck his left hand. At first, he brushed it off, playing through swelling and discomfort with the occasional off-day sprinkled in. His grit kept him on the field, but it came at a cost. Between the All-Star break and July 25, he hit just .105, collecting only four hits in 38 at-bats. His batting average tumbled from .335 to .312, an alarming free fall for someone once penciled in as the American League’s Rookie of the Year favorite. When a deeper look revealed a forearm fracture, the team had no choice but to shut him down.
For Wilson, it was a frustrating setback. “I didn’t think anything was really wrong at the time,” he admitted, reflecting on the weeks he powered through pain. “I wanted to be part of the team and play the game I love, but sometimes you just have to take the time off to get healthy.” That decision ultimately bought him the reset he needed.
His rehab stint with Triple-A Las Vegas in mid-August wasn’t jaw-dropping on paper, three hits in 14 at-bats, but it told a different story in feel. The ball was jumping off his bat again. He launched a home run, ripped a double, and most importantly, felt his swing return to form. “The bat speed felt like it was getting back to normal,” Wilson explained, sounding like someone rediscovering his rhythm rather than pressing through dull aches.
Still, while Wilson was sidelined, the Rookie of the Year race dramatically shifted. His teammate Nick Kurtz took the spotlight and ran with it, posting a blistering .350 average with power numbers that turned heads across the league. Once the clear frontrunner, Wilson now openly acknowledges that the award is likely Kurtz’s to lose. “At this point, it’s just a race for second place,” he said with a grin. The comment spoke less to resignation and more to camaraderie, proof of how special this young Athletics core could become.
That core has been the defining story of Sacramento’s season. With Wilson back in the leadoff mix alongside Kurtz, Shea Langeliers, Brent Rooker, and Tyler Soderstrom, the A’s feature a lineup that suddenly looks dangerous from top to bottom. Wilson’s value lies not in towering home runs but in the relentless contact skills that wear down pitchers and keep innings alive. Manager Mark Kotsay summed it up: “The vast majority of what Jacob does is bat-to-ball skill and his ability to put the ball in play. That’s a different element for this lineup. We’re excited to have him back.”
The roster shuffle that accompanied Wilson’s activation underscored the team’s fragile health. Rookie starter Jack Perkins landed on the injured list with a shoulder strain, while reliever Ben Bowden joined him due to a lat issue. The A’s called up Joey Estes and Eduarniel Nuñez from Triple-A to patch the holes, while Max Schuemann was optioned out to make room. It was a reminder that for every bright return, there is a balancing setback.
For now, though, the bigger picture is clear. Wilson’s return doesn’t just deepen the offense, it restores an identity the A’s briefly lost. His blend of contact, speed, and table-setting fits perfectly with the power around him. The fact that he can openly celebrate Kurtz’s historic surge while chasing his own rebound says plenty about the chemistry of this team.
The Athletics may not have the payroll muscle of baseball’s elite, but they are building something that looks sustainable, a core of young, hungry players who seem to thrive off each other’s success. Wilson’s comeback is just one subplot, yet it captures the larger theme. This season isn’t just about survival in a new city, it’s about establishing a foundation. And if Wilson’s healthy bat is here to stay, that foundation just got a lot sturdier.
