Athletics outfielder Henry Bolte has done a little bit of everything over the past month since he was called up from the Triple-A Las Vegas Aviators.
Except hit a home run. That changed on Tuesday.
Bolte hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the second inning for the 22-year-old’s first MLB homer. The A’s went on to win 7-5 while hitting five home runs in another home run-filled contest with the Brewers.
A’s manager Mark Kotsay said after Tuesday’s win that Bolte has more than carved out a role with the big league club.
“This kid’s taken over and found a home here,” Kotsay said. “It’s always tough and challenging times when you’re a rookie and trying to establish yourself. He fits in nicely with this team.”
Even though Bolte didn’t make his MLB debut until May 13 of this year, Bolte has spent the past two spring trainings with the A’s. Kotsay said he saw signs of Bolte’s upward trajectory started during this spring training.
“It’s been great. Acclimating to the big leagues and the team as general has been great,” Bolte said on Monday. “This has been one of the one of the more fun teams that I’ve been a part of.”
Bolte entered Wednesday hitting .295 with seven RBIs, 23 hits and four stolen bases while playing center and right field with the A’s.
Bolte is “a really, really good player,” A’s catcher Shea Langeliers said pregame Wednesday. “We knew (Bolte’s) first home run was going to come soon. Kind of cool that the first one came in Vegas on this trip. We knew the type of player he was, but he’s been really impressive so far.”
Bolte earned the call up after hitting .348 with 12 home runs and 28 RBIs in 37 games with the Aviators this season.
Brent Rooker update
A’s designated hitter Brent Rooker didn’t play in the team’s win on Tuesday, and he was not in the lineup again on Wednesday.
Kotsay said Rooker’s rest has been to manage knee soreness.
“It’s definitely a management thing, and he’s been a little bit more sore,” Kotsay said. “We’re going to take it day-by-day. He’s been gridning. Going into the off day (Thursday), we’ll have a conversation as to the direction for him that makes the most sense to help him move forward.”
Rooker was 0-for-5 with a run scored in the A’s 15-14 12-inning loss to the Brewers on Monday. Rooker missed time with an oblique injury earlier this season.
Rotation set for Rockies
Kotsay announced earlier Wednesday that left-hander Gage Jump will start for the A’s on Friday against the Colorado Rockies in the beginning of a three-game series at Las Vegas Ballpark.
Jeffrey Springs will start on Saturday for the A’s, and J.T. Ginn will be Sunday’s starter.
Jump made his MLB debut against Seattle in May and earned the loss. Jump, 23, has earned wins in his past two starts, with one earned run allowed in a combined 13.1 innings pitched his last two outings.
“I like that (Jump is) challenging hitters and throwing strikes,” Kotsay said. “He’s been able to dominate in the zone the last two starts. He’s developing a really nice (changeup) that we talked to him about when he was in Triple-A.
“There’s still a lot of room to grow, which is great because he’s done a really nice job.”
Contact Alex Wright at awright@reviewjournal.com. Follow @AlexWright1028 on X.
