Athletics' Herrmann to undergo arthroscopic knee surgery

Oakland Athletics catcher Chris Herrmann needs arthroscopic surgery on his right knee and likely will miss the start of the season, according to a report from the San Francisco Chronicle. Herrmann, 31, was slated to split catching duties for Oakland along with veteran Josh Phegley. His injury creates an opportunity for Nick Hundley, who recently joined the club as a non-roster invitee to spring training.

The A's said Herrmann did not have ligament damage in his knee but surgery was needed to clean up cartilage and bone chips. The team has not announced a timetable for Herrmann's return because the "extent of damage (is) unknown until they're in there," Susan Slusser of the Chronicle tweeted. In parts of seven seasons with the Minnesota Twins, Arizona Diamondbacks and Seattle Mariners, Herrmann has hit .205 with 24 home runs, 95 home runs and 10 stolen bases. He signed a one-year deal with Oakland this winter.

Hundley, 35, is an experienced backstop with 943 games played in parts of 11 seasons. He is a .248 lifetime hitter with 91 homers and 371 RBIs, including 10 homers and 31 RBIs in 96 games with the San Francisco Giants in 2018.