News of Grant Balfour's knee injury and subsequent surgery that will cost the Oakland closer almost the duration of spring training is not the kind of news A's fans want any part of. Injuries always seem to be a rite of passage in Oakland, particularly with its pitchers. And you just hope Balfour's issue, fortunately not an arm injury, won't carry any bad mojo throughout the staff.
Brett Anderson is expected to the the ace of the staff and likely the team's starter for Opening Day and appears to be in the best shape of his young career. But Anderson has also been a regular on the disabled list and having undergone Tommy John surgery in 2011. He needs to stay healthy for the long haul in 2013, ditto Balfour and the rest of the pitching staff. If the A's are going to fend off the Angels and Rangers in the expanded (welcome to the party, Houston Astros and old Green and Gold buddy Chris Carter) A.L. West, the A's may need to throw out the best starting and bullpen staff in the division. Having a healthy Balfour and Anderson would certainly make that quest easier.
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