After surgery, A.J. Puk on pace to pitch in spring training 2021

After successful shoulder surgery, Oakland Athletics' A.J. Puk plans to start pitching in spring training 2021

Amid an up-and-down year, A’s have to be pleased with the post-surgery news for left-handed pitcher A.J. Puk.

Wednesday, Dr. Neal ElAttrache had a debridement of his left labrum and rotator cuff, as well as a full clean out of his shoulder due to some bursitis, A’s head athletic trainer Nick Paparesta told reporters Friday afternoon.

Puk is expected to need 10-to-12 weeks of recovery, which puts him on pace to return to the team for spring training in 2021.

“We would hope to have him in spring training with the rest of the pitchers along the same progression program with those guys as spring training starts,” Paparesta said.

Puk will get his stitches out next Monday, so he will be in Los Angeles for the week. He’s already started physical therapy.

“He’s just excited that this thing is finally taken care of and he can get rolling next year,” Paparesta said.

This shoulder injury has nagged Puk since early March. He was shut down mid-way through spring training 1.0 with a shoulder strain, and rehabbed it during the COVID-19 hiatus. The 25-year-old returned for spring training 2.0 throwing 95 mph — nearly his peak velocity on his fastball — looking finally ready to join the rotation, but the shoulder injury returned to haunt him just days before the regular season began.

“This is just going to be a breath of fresh air for him going into the offseason, knowing that’s behind him,” Paparesta said.

Daniel Mengden, who tested positive for the coronavirus on Aug. 28, cleared joint committee protocols and has been cleared to pitch at the alternate site in San Jose.