Oakland Athletics News

Seth Brown  • LF  •  Athletics

Seth Brown Avoids Arbitration With A's

The Athletics avoided salary arbitration with outfielder/first baseman Seth Brown on Wednesday, agreeing to terms on an undisclosed one-year contract for the 2025 campaign. Brown made $2.6 million in 2024 and provided a .231/.283/.379 slash line with a below-average .662 OPS, 14 home runs, 44 RBI, four stolen bases and 32 runs scored in 400 plate appearances and 124 games in his sixth season with the organization. The 32-year-old left-handed-hitting veteran will remain with the club as they transition to playing their home games in Sacramento in 2025 and figures to play a platoon role against right-handed pitching. He actually had a lower average (.229) against lefties than righties last season but hit 13 of his 14 round-trippers against righties. Brown will mostly be an AL-only outfielder for depth given his limited upside on one of the weakest teams in baseball.
4 hours ago   
Matt Krook  • RP  •  Athletics  |  Jason Alexander  • SP  •  Athletics

A's Sign Matt Krook, Jason Alexander

The Athletics signed free-agent left-hander Matt Krook and right-hander Jason Alexander to minor-league deals late last week. Krook, 30, pitched one inning in relief for the Baltimore Orioles in 2024 and allowed three runs (two earned) while walking one and striking out two. He saw most of his action at Triple-A Norfolk, posting a 3.92 ERA and 1.39 WHIP with a save, 54 strikeouts and 31 walks in 41 relief appearances. Alexander, 31, hasn't pitched in the majors since debuting in 2022 with the Milwaukee Brewers, when he had a 5.40 ERA and 1.62 WHIP over 71 2/3 innings in 18 appearances (11 starts). He spent this past season pitching for Triple-A Worcester in the Red Sox's organization, going 7-6 with a 4.42 ERA, a 1.32 WHIP and a 129:39 K:BB in 29 outings (27 starts) covering 138 1/3 frames. Both Krook and Alexander are likely to start at Triple-A Las Vegas in 2025.
13 hours ago   
Denzel Clarke  • CF  •  Athletics

Denzel Clarke Homers In Three-Hit Day

Athletics outfield prospect Denzel Clarke went 3-for-5 with a solo home run and two runs scored on Monday for Mesa in the Arizona Fall League (AFL). The home run was his second of the fall campaign and he now has his batting average up to .388, good for fourth-highest in the circuit. The 24-year-old has shown off his speed as well, hitting three triples and stealing seven bases in 17 games. Clarke is the Athletics' 10th-ranked prospect according to MLB.com's Top Prospects list. The former fourth-round draft pick is coming off a strong season at Double-A, putting together a .269-13-53-74-36 line in 116 games. A weakness is his strikeout rate, finishing at 29.9% in 2024, but he's shown more patience in the AFL, with a 13:19 BB:K that has buoyed his second-best .506 OBP. He may start next season at Triple-A, but look for him to debut in 2025 should he continue to hit.
Nov 12   
Mason Miller  • RP  •  Athletics

Mason Miller To Stay In The Bullpen

Athletics general manager David Forst said this week that right-handed closer Mason Miller will remain in a relief role for the team next year and they are "not talking about moving him back into a starting role." Miller, a third-round pick in 2021 out of Gardner-Webb University, came up through the minors as a starter. When the A's decided to initially use him out of the bullpen when he advanced to the majors, they kept open the idea of returning him to a starting role down the road. It looks like that won't be happening now, and you can't blame the A's after the 26-year-old flamethrower developed into one of the most dominant closers in the game in 2024. In just his second year in the big leagues, Miller made his first All-Star team by posting a 2.49 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, his first 28 career saves, 104 strikeouts and 21 walks in 65 innings. Despite being on the A's, Miller is an elite fantasy closer heading into 2025.
Nov 8   
T.J. McFarland  • RP  •  Athletics

T.J. McFarland Re-Signs With The A's

According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the A's have re-signed relief pitcher T.J. McFarland on a one-year contract. McFarland posted a 3.81 ERA and 1.24 WHIP with a 17:39 BB:K across 56 2/3 innings of work. Under the hood, he carried a stellar 59.4% ground-ball rate and was able to maintain soft contact at a 4.6% barrel rate and a 34.9% hard-hit rate. However, he struggled in generating whiffs, as he posted a mere 16.6% strikeout rate, one of the lowest marks among qualified pitchers. Fantasy managers should expect McFarland to return to his high-leverage role pitching in the seventh or eighth innings of games, but he will have his save opportunities capped with Mason Miller poised to return to his closer role.
Nov 7   
Brent Rooker  • DH  •  Athletics

A's Planning To Keep Brent Rooker

The Athletics plan to keep outfielder Brent Rooker this offseason despite speculation that he might be moved. "We're going to keep Rooker," general manager David Forst said. Rooker is one of the team's best bargaining chips, but they are going to hang onto him after posting a second straight strong season in 2024 with a .293/.365/.562 slash line and .927 OPS to go along with career-highs in home runs (39), RBI (112), stolen bases (11) and runs scored (82) in 614 plate appearances and 145 games played. The 30-year-old underwent surgery on his right forearm in early October for an injury he had played through for much of the year. The good news is that Rooker is expected to be fully healthy for spring training in 2025 and will be a popular outfield target in fantasy despite playing for the lowly A's.
Nov 5   
Brent Rooker  • DH  •  Athletics

Brent Rooker Undergoes Right-Forearm Surgery

Oakland Athletics designated hitter Brent Rooker (forearm) underwent right-forearm extensor surgery earlier this week, according to Athletics general manager David Forst. Rooker had been dealing with an elbow issue all year, though it did not hinder his ability to hit. The 29-year-old hadn't played in the field since May 30, so if it affected his throwing abilities, it would not have been noticed over the last few months. Rooker had an incredible season at the plate, hitting for a 165 OPS+. Should his recovery from surgery go well and if he doesn't experience any setbacks, Rooker will be a prime target in fantasy drafts, as his bat will continue to drive value for the A's as they move into Sacramento for the 2025 season. Dynasty managers shouldn't worry about Rooker's surgery much given that it didn't affect his ability to hit. Assuming all goes well, he'll continue to be one of the strongest bats in the A's lineup.
Oct 5   
Ross Stripling  • SP  •  Athletics

A's Hope To Activate Ross Stripling For Final Weekend

Oakland Athletics right-hander Ross Stripling (back) faced hitters in a live batting practice session on Tuesday, and the A's hope to activate him off the injured list in time for their final series of the 2024 regular season against the division-rival Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park, which starts this Friday and runs through Sunday. The 34-year-old will likely be available out of the team's bullpen this weekend in the final series of the regular season, but fantasy managers should stay away in all formats if they are still playing for something. Stripling has been injured for a good chunk of his first season with the A's and hasn't been good when he's been available, sporting a 2-11 record, 6.08 ERA, 1.54 WHIP, 49 strikeouts and 21 walks in 84 1/3 innings pitched over his 21 appearances (14 starts). He hasn't pitched since Sept. 8 and hasn't started a game for the A's since Aug. 6.
Sep 25   
Esteury Ruiz  • CF  •  Athletics

Esteury Ruiz Undergoes Knee Surgery

Oakland Athletics outfielder Esteury Ruiz (knee, wrist) underwent arthroscopic right-knee surgery on Tuesday in Texas, the team announced. Ruiz was already ruled out for the remainder of the 2024 season due to a strained left wrist, and now he'll be rehabbing a knee procedure this offseason on top of it. The 25-year-old speedster specifically had a patella tendon debridement and chondroplasty done to his knee. After stealing a league-high 67 bases in his first year in Oakland in 2023, Ruiz was a massive disappointment for fantasy managers hoping to lock down stolen bases by taking him in drafts. Ruiz only played in 29 games at the major-league level in 2024 and hit .200/.270/.382 with a .652 OPS, two homers, two doubles, a triple, eight RBI and five stolen bases in 65 plate appearances. The A's sent him down to the minors early in the year and he was never able to recover.
Sep 25   
Darell Hernaiz  • SS  •  Athletics

Darell Hernaiz Recalled, Playing On Tuesday

Oakland Athletics infielder Darell Hernaiz has been recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas on Tuesday. Hernaiz was optioned towards the end of August after struggling with a .193 batting average across 44 games with the A's. The 23-year-old was hitting better in the minors, so the A's are ready to give him another look. Hernaiz will cover third base and bat ninth versus right-hander Nathan Eovaldi on Tuesday. Fantasy managers can ignore Hernaiz, but it's nice to see the A's giving their young hitters more chances.
Sep 24   
Ross Stripling  • SP  •  Athletics

Ross Stripling To Face Live Hitters On Tuesday

Oakland Athletics right-hander Ross Stripling (back) came away feeling healthy from a 30-pitch bullpen session on Saturday at Oakland Coliseum and is scheduled to face live hitters on Tuesday. If all goes well with that session, Stripling is expected to be activated from the injured list in time for the team's final series of the season against the division-rival Seattle Mariners on the road this weekend, which starts on Friday, Sept. 27. It's unclear if the A's will use Stripling for a traditional start or just out of the bullpen for the final series of the year this weekend, but fantasy managers should stay away regardless. When the 34-year-old veteran hasn't been hurt this year, he's been way too hittable, going 2-11 with a 6.08 ERA and 1.54 WHIP with only 49 strikeouts and 21 walks in 21 appearances (14 starts) covering 84 1/3 innings in his first year in Oakland.
Sep 23   
Ross Stripling  • SP  •  Athletics

Ross Stripling To Throw A Longer Bullpen On Saturday

Oakland Athletics right-hander Ross Stripling (back) felt his back "lock up" during the team's 4-3 win over the Houston Astros back on Sept. 10. Stripling threw a 25-pitch bullpen session on Wednesday, which mostly consisted of fastballs while also mixing in each of his offspeed pitches. He said afterward that he felt good and that he's scheduled to throw a longer bullpen on Saturday. With Stripling's injured-list placement retroactive to Sept. 9, he's hopeful of making his return when first eligible to come off the IL on Sept. 24. It looks like the 34-year-old veteran will be able to return to the big-league roster before the end of the 2024 season, but Stripling is well off the fantasy radar already. In his 21 outings (14 starts) in Oakland in 2024, Stripling has gone 2-11 with a career-worst 6.08 ERA and 1.54 WHIP in 84 1/3 innings. He also has a career-worst 13% strikeout rate.
Sep 20   
JJ Bleday  • CF  •  Athletics

JJ Bleday Sitting Against A Southpaw

Oakland Athletics outfielders JJ Bleday and Seth Brown and infielder Max Schuemann are all out of the starting lineup in Wednesday's series finale against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field with a left-hander on the mound. As a result, Daz Cameron will start in center field and bat cleanup, Tyler Nevin will man left field and hit eighth, and Nick Allen will start at the hot corner and hit ninth against Cubs left-hander Justin Steele, who is making his first start off the injured list. Bleday has hit a pedestrian .246 (133-for-540) in his third year in the big leagues in 2024, but he has quietly hit the 20-homer mark and driven in 56 runs in 149 games for a bad A's team. He's hit .229 (25-for-109) with six of his 20 long balls on the year against southpaws. Cameron has the most DFS upside in the four-hole, but he's hit just .201 with five homers and five steals in 159 at-bats.
Sep 18   
Shea Langeliers  • C  •  Athletics

Shea Langeliers Hits Two More Homers Tuesday

Oakland Athletics catcher Shea Langeliers continued to flex his muscles in Tuesday's 4-3 win over the Cubs. Langeliers went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and a two-run HR. The 26-year-old drilled a first-inning Jordan Wicks fastball into the left-center seats to plate two and got Wicks again deep to left field in the fifth inning. Langeliers has provided expected fantasy value this season, slashing .220/.280/.448 with 28 HR, 54 runs scored, 74 RBI, and four stolen bases in 500 plate appearances. He won't help fantasy managers in batting average, but catcher is such a weak position that Langeliers' power contributions make up for it.
Sep 18   
Osvaldo Bido  • RP  •  Athletics

Osvaldo Bido Hasn't Resumed Playing Catch

Oakland Athletics right-hander Osvaldo Bido (wrist) had been pitching through a wrist issue for his last few outings, but manager Mark Kotsay said it reached the point that Bido had trouble gripping the baseball following his most recent outing on Sept. 7. The A's are hopeful that Bido could return before the end of the regular season since his injured-list placement was retroactive to Sept. 8. However, as of Monday, Bido still had not begun playing catch. The 28-year-old is dealing with right-wrist flexor tendinitis, and at this point, it's unlikely that he'll be able to return to Oakland's starting rotation in what has been a solid year for him. The Dominican hurler has gone 5-3 with a 3.41 ERA and 1.09 WHIP with 63 strikeouts and 26 walks in 63 1/3 frames over 16 outings (nine starts) in his first year in Oakland and just his second in the big leagues.
Sep 17   
Ross Stripling  • SP  •  Athletics

Ross Stripling To Throw A Bullpen On Wednesday

Oakland Athletics right-hander Ross Stripling (back) felt his back "lock up" during the team's win over the division-rival Houston Astros on Sept. 10. Stripling has resumed throwing and is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Wednesday and another one when the team returns home from its nine-game road trip. He is hopeful to return during the final week of the regular season. Stripling's injured-list stint was retroactive to Sept. 9, and the A's are hopeful that he can return when first eligible on Sept. 24. The 34-year-old veteran is attempting to return from a lower-back strain, but no fantasy managers should be waiting around for him. Stripling has been pretty bad in his first year with the A's in 2024, going 2-11 with a career-worst 6.08 ERA, a 1.54 WHIP and a career-low 13% walk rate in 84 1/3 innings over his 21 appearances (14 starts).
Sep 17   
Austin Adams  • RP  •  Athletics

Unclear If Austin Adams Will Pitch Again This Year

Oakland Athletics right-handed reliever Austin Adams (forearm) was scheduled to start a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Las Vegas during the week of Sept. 9, but he was pulled back after experiencing a setback with his right-forearm tendinitis. Adams returned to Oakland on Sept. 12 to be re-evaluated by team doctors but still hadn't been seen as of Monday. At this point, it's unclear if Adams will pitch again for the A's in 2024. With the season winding down and the A's not in playoff contention, it would be a surprise if we saw the 33-year-old veteran back with Oakland before the end of September. If this is it for Adams in 2024, the former eighth-rounder will finish his first year in the Bay Area with a 1-2 record, 3.92 ERA (4.48 FIP), a 1.48 WHIP and a 53:23 K:BB in 41 1/3 innings out of the bullpen for the A's.
Sep 17   
Tyler Soderstrom  • 1B  •  Athletics

Tyler Soderstrom Activated From 10-Day Injured List

Oakland Athletics first baseman/catcher Tyler Soderstrom (wrist) was activated off the 10-day injured list on Saturday afternoon. In a corresponding move, the Athletics optioned Armando Alvarez. The 22-year-old was kept out of MLB action for just over two months due to a bone bruise on his left wrist. Before the injury, Soderstrom flashed high-upside power at times but struggled to find consistency as he posted a mere .219/.307/.404 line with seven round-trippers across 49 games. Under the hood, he boasted a 14.7% barrel rate and a 52.9% hard-hit rate, which suggests his power production was not a fluke. Fantasy managers looking for a second catcher with an upside for power should consider adding the former first-round pick, as he should see consistent playing time down the stretch.
Sep 14   
Seth Brown  • LF  •  Athletics  |  Ryan Noda  • 1B  •  Athletics

Seth Brown, Max Schuemann, Ryan Noda On The Bench

Oakland Athletics outfielder Seth Brown, infielder Max Schuemann and first baseman Ryan Noda are all out of the starting lineup for Thursday's series finale against the division-rival Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Daz Cameron is starting in left field and is batting eighth, Nick Allen is at the hot corner and is hitting ninth, and Tyler Nevin will man first base and hit seventh against Astros left-hander Framber Valdez. Allen has the best numbers in his career against Valdez, hitting .385 against him with an .852 OPS and an RBI in 13 at-bats, but none of Cameron, Allen or Nevin are particularly attractive DFS sleepers in this matchup on the road. Brown and Noda, who was recently called up from the minors, both hit from the left side, so it's no surprise why they are on the bench on Thursday against a tough southpaw.
Sep 12   
Lawrence Butler  • RF  •  Athletics

Lawrence Butler Back In The Lineup

Oakland Athletics outfielder Lawrence Butler (illness) is back in right field and is batting leadoff for the A's on Wednesday against the division-rival Houston Astros and right-hander Hunter Brown at Minute Maid Park. Butler was under the weather on Monday but is feeling better on Tuesday and will return atop Oakland's batting order. The 24-year-old former sixth-round selection in 2018 is having a breakout campaign in just his second year in the majors and in his first full season in the big leagues. He comes into Wednesday's game slashing .270/.324/.523 with an .847 OPS, 21 home runs, 54 RBI and 14 stolen bases in 110 games played. Butler's second half has been more impressive, as he's hit .328/.368/.638 with a 1.006 OPS, 12 homers, 29 RBI and eight stolen bases in 46 games. Get him back into your lineups on Wednesday now that he's feeling better.
Sep 11   
LEGEND
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