Stuck in an update loop; alternately, app doesn't load

I am having two alternating issues with the EA app;

1) After opening the app, no windows appear, but the top Menu is the EA App menu. I can select bring All Windows to Front and get this blank screen. I've tried App Recovery from here and managed to get it working after that, but then I run into the next issue and at some point it reverts back to this issue.

2) Stuck in an update loop. When selecting Update either from the left menu or from the game's page and then agreeing to the terms, I get the message that the update is complete, but the icon doesn't revert to "Play."

I've tried clearing the cache (manually and using App Recovery), restarting my Mac and the game several times, and starting offline. I got the game to work once (I've been trying since Dec 12), but it got stuck on Save & Exit, and I haven't been able to get it starting since.