Oakland Athletics SS Elvis Andrus sidelined with fractured left fibula

Oakland Athletics shortstop Elvis Andrus suffered a fractured left fibula when he rounded third base before scoring the winning run Saturday in the bottom of the ninth inning of a2-1 victory over theHouston Astros.

Andrus was placed on the 10-day injured list Sunday. Manager Bob Melvin had said Saturday that Andrus felt a pop in his ankle and was taken for X-rays.

A's trainer Nick Paparesta noted that Andrus had been hit in the same leg earlier in the game and had other minor injuries in his left leg.

"It could be a multitude of little micro-traumas that kind of caused this thing,'' Paparesta said. "Then he puts all of his weight on it, and doing everything he can to get to home I think may have caused the fracture.''

Andrus stumbled as he rounded third and fell onto home plate to score the winning run. He was checked by the training staff and had to be helped off the field.

He is expected to fly back to Texas and meet with orthopedic surgeon Dr. Keith Meister before a determination is made on the next step.

"I don't know that I've managed a player that's tougher than Elvis is,'' A's manager Bob Melvin said. "Pound for pound this kid brings it every day. Probably played hurt way more than anybody knew. His pain tolerance is off the charts. Obviously, it gives us a big hole.''

Andrus, 33, is batting .243 with three homers and 37 RBIs, his first season with Oakland after he was acquired in an offseason trade from the Texas Rangers. The infielder spent the first 12 seasons of his career with the Rangers and is a two-time All-Star.

The A's also placed infielder/designated hitter Jed Lowrie on the 10-day injured list Sunday with a sprained right hand. Lowrie, 37, is hitting .245 with 14 home runs and 69 RBIs.

Oakland reinstated left-hander Sam Moll from the paternity list and recalled infielder Vimael Machin from Triple-A Las Vegas in corresponding moves.

The A's enter Sunday four games behind in the chase for the American League's second wild-card spot.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.