Mason Miller Goes On Injured List With Fractured Pinkie
The Oakland Athletics will place All-Star closer Mason Miller (finger) on the 15-day injured list on Thursday with a fracture of the fifth metacarpal (pinkie) in his left hand, according to a source. It's a non-pitching injury that Miller suffered after pounding a padded training room table in frustration following Monday night's win over the division-rival Houston Astros. The right-handed flamethrower was a long shot to be traded by next Tuesday's deadline, but this pretty much assures that Miller won't be going anywhere in 2024. Even though the injury isn't to Miller's throwing hand, the A's have no reason to rush him back in another lost season, so fantasy managers shouldn't be surprised if he misses more than two weeks. Until the dominant closer returns, Lucas Erceg should be expected to see most of the A's save opportunities.
Oakland Athletics closer Mason Miller recorded a win in his first All-Star Game appearance in Tuesday's 5-3 win over the National League. Miller pitched a scoreless fifth inning, tossing a 1-2-3 inning while striking out Shohei Ohtani and Trea Turner. To top it off, the 25-year-old threw the hardest recorded pitch in All-Star Game history, coming in at 103.6 MPH. Miller has been impressive on all accounts this season, converting 15 of 17 save opportunities with a 2.27 ERA, a 0.86 WHIP, and a ridiculous 46.7% strikeout rate. His 100.9-MPH average fastball velocity is the fastest in baseball and he should continue to use his fastball-slider combination to strike hitters out at an elite clip.
Mason Miller Open To Returning To Rotation In Future
Oakland Athletics closer Mason Miller said he would consider returning to a starter's role in the future, per USA Today's Bob Nightengale. The 25-year-old said, "If the opportunity presents itself, maybe." The flamethrower has been fantastic for the A's in the closer's role this season, converting 15 of 17 save opportunities with a 2.27 ERA, a 0.86 WHIP, and a ridiculous 46.7% strikeout rate. While he earned his first All-Star appearance for his efforts, he did make six starts for the A's in 2023 and served as a starter in the minors but had his season cut short due to a UCL injury. Miller's fantasy value could shift slightly in the future if his role changed, but his talent is at such a high level that he could provide significant fantasy value in either role.
Oakland Athletics star closer Mason Miller is expected to stay put at this summer's trade deadline. Miller has been so electric this year in his first full season as the team's ninth-inning arm that not only do the A's want to keep him around as they begin their eventual transition to Las Vegas next year, but his price has become astronomically high. The flamethrowing 25-year-old right-hander has been lights-out for fantasy managers and the A's in 2024, posting a 1.96 ERA (1.80 FIP), a 0.79 WHIP, his first 14 saves, 64 strikeouts and 13 walks in 36 2/3 innings in his second year in the majors. The former third-round pick in 2021 out of Gardner-Webb University routinely hits triple digits on the radar gun and has an absurd 47.1% strikeout rate.
Oakland Athletics closer Mason Miller is human after all, as he blew his first save of the season on Thursday against the Tampa Bay Rays. He entered the game in the ninth inning with a 4-3 lead, but Jose Siri took him deep for a solo shot to tie the game. Miller was a perfect 11-for-11 in save opportunities on the season before today. Despite the blemish, there is no denying that the 25-year-old is one of the most dominant relievers in baseball. He is averaging a ludicrous 17.6 K/9 to go along with a 2.08 ERA and 0.88 WHIP. Miller can still be treated as a high-end closer in fantasy.
Oakland Athletics closer Mason Miller shut the door Tuesday night, recording his 11th save on the season with two strikeouts in a 3-0 shutout win against the Tampa Bay Rays. After retiring the first two batters in the inning via a strikeout and flyout, Miller made things interesting by allowing a single and a walk before closing the night out by striking out Richie Palacios. Despite having a hiccup against the Rockies last week, where he allowed three runs, Miller carries a 1.88 ERA with 47 strikeouts in 24 innings pitched. Assuming the young fireballer continues his domination, he has a real shot at winning the American League Rookie of the Year Award.
Mason Miller Muscles A’s Past Astros For 10th Save
Oakland Athletics closer Mason Miller was back on the mound Saturday, two days after his dust-up against the Colorado Rockies (five runs, three earned runs), which saw his ERA balloon from 0.89 to 2.05. If there were any lingering doubts from that last outing, they were immediately put to rest as Miller secured his 10th save after being handed a two-run lead. Facing the middle of a dangerous Astros offense, Miller made short work of the Houston bats, striking out the side needing only 15 pitches. Miller possesses one of the best young arms in all of baseball. Unfortunately, his upside is limited while closing games in Oakland. If he can keep this up (45 Ks in 23 innings), Miller looks to be one of the more coveted assets potentially available at the trade deadline.
Mason Miller Fans Five In Two Scoreless Innings Tuesday
Oakland Athletics closer Mason Miller turned in another excellent performance in Tuesday's 2-1 extra-inning loss to the Astros. Miller came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth inning with the game tied and struck out the side. He stayed in to pitch the ninth and delivered another 1-2-3 inning with two more strikeouts. The 25-year-old has proven to be an elite fantasy option even when he isn't in save situations. He has converted all eight of his save opportunities with a minuscule 0.98 ERA and a ridiculous 18.65 K/9 rate in 18 1/3 innings of work.
MLB teams are already calling the Oakland Athletics with trade interest in flamethrowing closer Mason Miller, and naturally, the A's are asking for a ton in return. No team has come close to meeting the A's price, according to a team source, and perhaps no one will before this summer's trade deadline. The 25-year-old is Oakland's best young player and their best player, period. For a team to acquire Miller, they'd likely have to give up a young player of comparable ability or a substantial package of multiple youngsters who could be part of the A's future. If the Padres wanted Miller, the A's would likely ask for rookie center fielder Jackson Merrill. Miller isn't eligible for arbitration until 2016 and is under club control through 2029. While Miller has been amazing this year, he also missed almost four months in 2023 with a mild UCL sprain in his right elbow, so the A's are going to listen to offers. He's 8-for-8 in save chances and has struck out 33 in 16 2/3 innings so far this year.
Mason Miller Could Spark Bidding War At Trade Deadline
There has been speculation that Oakland Athletics rookie closer Mason Miller, who has the most pitches at 102-plus mph (19) this year, could be dangled at this summer's trade deadline. Rival executives are split on whether the A's would actually dare trade their biggest start with a move to Sacramento coming next year. Miller has topped out at 103.7 mph and is an "elite" closer that should bring "a prospect package worth pursuing." A rival executive envisions a bidding war that could make a Miller trade irresistible for the A's. "They may want to cash in while stock is so high." The 25-year-old former third-round pick in 2021 out of Gardner-Webb University has been lights-out in 2024 with a 1.26 ERA, 0.77 WHIP, eight saves and 29 K's in 14 1/3 innings, although a trade to a contender wouldn't necessarily mean he'd stay in a closer's role.
