Soderstrom started at catcher in Sunday's spring training loss to the Giants. While it's unlikely that Soderstrom will be the backup catcher in addition to being the starter at first base, manager Mark Kotsay said he could play the position during the regular season, MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Jhonny Pereda has likely won the backup catcher job behind Shea Langeliers, but it's possible Soderstrom could get enough playing time at catcher to qualify in some fantasy leagues. Soderstrom played just one game at catcher in the majors but logged 21 games at the position in Triple-A in 2024.

The A's are open to Soderstrom serving as their backup catcher this season, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Soderstrom has progressively seen his playing time behind the plate dwindle as his professional career has progressed, and he appeared there only once in 61 big-league games last season. He's projected to serve as the A's primary first baseman to begin the season, though the team is considering him as the backup to Shea Langeliers to maximize their roster flexibility. While Soderstrom won't enter the season with catcher eligibility in most formats, his potential to pick it up during the campaign would be a significant boost to his fantasy appeal.

Soderstrom went 1-for-5 with a solo home run in an extra-inning loss to the Mariners on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

Soderstrom launched his ninth home run of the season in the sixth inning, a 369-foot solo shot that knotted the score at 3-3. The rookie has now hit safely in five of the last six games, and heading into the regular-season finale Sunday, he boasts a .282 batting average and .887 OPS in 43 plate appearances since returning from the injured list Sept. 14.

Soderstrom went 2-for-4 with an RBI double and another two-bagger in a win over the Rangers on Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

The rookie drove home Shea Langeliers in the first inning with his first double and later added his ninth two-bagger of the season. Soderstrom's bat has caught fire after he went 0-for-7 over his first two games back from the injured list, as he's hitting .471 (8-for-17) with four extra-base hits, five RBI, two walks and three runs over his last five games.

Soderstrom went 2-for-2 with a double, two RBI, two walks and one run scored in Sunday's 7-4 loss to the Yankees.

EDGE Analysis

Soderstrom logged multiple hits for the third time in his last four games, and he also drew a walk for the first time since he returned from a wrist injury. He's held down more than a strong-side platoon at first base since his return, though he's not in the lineup versus every southpaw. Soderstrom is slashing .229/.314/.416 with eight home runs, 24 RBI, 16 runs scored and two doubles over 142 plate appearances as a rookie this season.

Soderstrom isn't in the Athletics' lineup for Saturday's game against the Yankees.

EDGE Analysis

With left-hander Carlos Rodon set to start on the bump for New York, the lefty-hitting Soderstrom will stay put in Oakland's dugout to begin Saturday's contest. In his absence, Tyler Nevin will get the starting nod at first base and bat seventh.

Soderstrom went 2-for-4 with a home run, two runs scored and two RBI in Wednesday's 5-3 win over the Cubs.

EDGE Analysis

He got the A's on the board in the fourth inning with a solo shot off Ethan Roberts. It was Soderstrom's first homer in four games since being activated from the IL, and his eighth of the year in 53 contests. With four hits in two games during this series at Wrigley Field, the 22-year-old has boosted his slash line on the season to .224/.304/.410.

Soderstrom went 2-for-4 in a loss to the Cubs on Monday.

EDGE Analysis

Soderstrom had gone 0-for-7 in his first two games back from the injured list, but he was able to break the ice Monday by generating one of the Athletics' trio of two-hit efforts. Soderstrom is slated to continue seeing everyday playing time at first base for what remains of the regular season, ahead of what figures to be a pivotal offseason for his development.

Soderstrom, who was activated from the injured list earlier in the day, went 0-for-5 with a run in a loss to the White Sox on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

Soderstrom made his first MLB appearance since July 9 after overcoming his wrist injury, but he wasn't able to carry over the red-hot bat he'd wielded during his minor-league rehab assignment. Nevertheless, the rookie is expected to get plenty of chances to rediscover his stroke before the end of the regular season, as MLB.com reports manager Mark Kotsay plans to give Soderstrom "the bulk of the first-base reps" down the stretch of the campaign. "I think the focus these next 14 games is to keep him healthy," Kotsay said. "Allow him to finish the season and go into the offseason with a good frame of mind [knowing] that he's healthy and can go train and prepare for next year."

Soderstrom (wrist) was activated from the injured list and is starting at first base and batting seventh Saturday against the White Sox.

EDGE Analysis

Soderstrom missed the last two months with a bone bruise on his left wrist. Prior to being activated, he went 9-for-20 with three homers, eight RBI, six runs scored and four walks during a rehab assignment for Triple-A Las Vegas. Soderstrom didn't get the call-up this season until May and got off to a slow start, but he hit six homers with a 19.8 percent strikeout rate in his 100 at-bats prior to hitting the IL, and Oakland will likely give him steady playing time against right-handed pitching down the stretch.