There’s Forcing Your Way Up And There’s Bolte — Is There A Spot For Him?
MESA, ARIZONA - MARCH 22, 2026: Henry Bolte #16 of the Athletics hits an RBI single during the second inning of a spring training Spring Breakout game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Hohokam Stadium on March 22, 2026 in Mesa, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Bernacchi/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images What Henry Bolte did Thursday-Saturday was phenomenal, historical, and raised the question of whether his time is now. Bolte went 12 for 12 from the latter part of Thursday’s game through Saturday’s game, 5 for 5 each of Friday and Saturday — with one single, 4 doubles, 1 triple, and 4 HRs.
The problem is the crowded outfield even with Denzel Clarke sidelined and Brent Rooker back as the every day DH. I thought even so there was a path for Bolte to fit in now if the A’s thought he was ready for prime time — and that only became more the case when Jacob Wilson’s dive for a ground ball ended with a shoulder strain. Wilson’s injury, the severity of which is still to be determined, solidifies Zack Gelof’s place on the infield for the coming days (and possibly weeks).
Gelof, along with Darell Hernaiz and Brett Harris, give the A’s ample infield coverage. So they could, assuming they place Wilson on the IL, replace him not with an infielder but rather with an outfielder. Meanwhile, the big question has been where would Bolte play and who would he displace?
Lawrence Butler and Carlos Cortes, along with Tyler Soderstrom and Brent Rooker, occupy 4 spots and LF-CF-RF-DH are exactly 4 spots. Colby Thomas is also in the mix against LHP. The answer lies in a rotation that doesn’t bench anyone but gives each player the occasional breather in order to get others in, one which would allow the A’s to get Butler out of playing so much CF and to give Bolte enough playing time to warrant the call up.
vs. RHP for 4 games in a week: LF – Soderstrom, CF – Bolte, RF – Butler, DH – Rooker LF – Soderstrom, CF – Bolte, RF – Cortes, DH – Rooker LF – Soderstrom, CF – Butler, RF – Cortes, DH – Rooker LF – Soderstrom, CF Bolte, RF Butler, DH – Cortes vs. LHP for 2 games in a week: LF – Soderstrom, CF – Bolte, RF – Thomas, DH – Rooker LF – Thomas, CF – Bolte, RF – Cortes, DH – Rooker A rotation like this puts Bolte in the lineup 5 of 6 games, Rooker at DH 5 of 6 games, puts Butler in CF only once a week, gives Cortes a start 2/3 of the time, and sits Soderstrom half the time against LHPs (he has a .