--- title: "Back Tightness Sidelines A's Key Prospect Daniel Susac" description: "The 23-year-old catcher, a vital piece of Oakland's future, exited Thursday's game as a precaution, leaving his immediate status in question." url: https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/daniel-susac-dealing-with-back-issue-0d542bdc published: 2026-06-26T04:39:22.745+00:00 updated: 2026-06-26T04:39:22.745+00:00 author: "Kostadin Stamboliev" publisher: "Pineido" site: "Sportopod" language: en topics: ["baseball"] --- # Back Tightness Sidelines A's Key Prospect Daniel Susac > The 23-year-old catcher, a vital piece of Oakland's future, exited Thursday's game as a precaution, leaving his immediate status in question. Oakland Athletics catching prospect Daniel Susac, a cornerstone of the franchise's rebuilding effort, was forced to exit Thursday's game in the sixth inning due to back tightness. The 23-year-old was removed as a precaution, with the club yet to provide a timeline for his return or determine if an injured list stint is necessary. The incident occurred during a game against the Athletics, with the report of his exit first delivered by Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle. Susac, a highly-regarded part of the organization's future, was batting .250 with 3 home runs and 15 RBIs in 30 games this season prior to the injury. Back issues, particularly for catchers, are notoriously tricky and can linger, potentially derailing a player's rhythm and development. The Athletics' medical staff will now conduct a full evaluation, with the team's long-term catching plans hanging in the balance. Susac's injury spotlights the precarious nature of prospect development, especially at the demanding catcher position. His current .250/.308/.417 slash line represented a solid foundation in his first extended Triple-A look, making any disruption to his playing time a tangible setback. For a player whose primary value is tied to his defensive prowess and game-calling, even minor physical limitations can significantly impact his progression and trade value. The timing is also inopportune for an A's organization thin on near-MLB catching talent. With Shea Langeliers established in Oakland, Susac represented the clear next man up and a potential future platoon or trade asset. A prolonged absence could force the club to accelerate other plans or seek external depth, complicating a rebuild that is heavily reliant on internal player development paying off on schedule. Analyzing the A's minor league depth, Susac's absence would leave a notable void. The primary catching duties at Triple-A Las Vegas would likely fall to veterans like Carlos Pérez or minor league signee Tyler Soderstrom, who has been working at first base. Neither offers Susac's combination of defensive projection and offensive upside. If Susac's injury requires a lengthy IL stint, it could stall the crucial evaluation period the front office needs to determine if he is ready to contribute at the major league level in 2025, a key checkpoint in the rebuild. Furthermore, the injury history for catchers with back problems is a cautionary tale. While many cases are minor, recurring back stiffness can sap power, limit mobility behind the plate, and lead to compensatory injuries. The A's handling of this will be telling; a conservative approach that prioritizes long-term health over short-term Triple-A at-bats would signal they view Susac as a genuine cornerstone. However, in a system where every prospect's development arc is under a microscope, losing reps for a player who needs to refine his pitch-framing and game management is a direct hit to the organization's most valuable currency: time. What's next: The Athletics are expected to provide a more detailed update on Susac's condition following further evaluation. His availability for the upcoming series and the potential need for a roster move will be the immediate focus for the front office. ## Why this matters For a rebuilding franchise like the Athletics, the health and development of top prospects like Daniel Susac is everything. A significant injury to a key future piece can set organizational timelines back years and force a reevaluation of long-term plans at a critical position. This is more than a day-to-day injury report; it's a stress test on the foundation of the A's future. ## Frequently asked ### What happened to Daniel Susac? The Oakland Athletics catching prospect left Thursday's game in the sixth inning due to back tightness. He was removed as a precautionary measure. ### How serious is the injury? The severity is currently unknown. The team has not provided a timeline or confirmed if he will need to go on the injured list. Further evaluation is pending. ### Why is Daniel Susac important to the Athletics? Susac, 23, is considered a key part of the A's future and their long-term plan at catcher. His development is crucial for the team's rebuilding process. ### Who reported the injury? Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle was the first to report that Susac left the game due to the back issue. ## Sources & Citations - [Daniel Susac: Dealing with back issue](https://www.rotowire.com//baseball/player/daniel-susac-17932) — ClearSports (2026-06-25) --- Cite: Back Tightness Sidelines A's Key Prospect Daniel Susac. Sportopod, 2026-06-26. https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/daniel-susac-dealing-with-back-issue-0d542bdc