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Zack Gelof • 2B • Athletics

Zack Gelof Making Cactus League Debut on Monday

Athletics second baseman Zack Gelof (shoulder) is making his Cactus League debut on Monday in spring training against the Cincinnati Reds, according to Martin Gallegos of MLB.com. Gelof is serving as the designated hitter and will bat fifth for the A's. The 26-year-old is just now making his spring debut after having surgery in September of last year to fix a dislocated left shoulder. Gelof hit .174/.230/.272 with a career-worst .502 OPS, two home runs, seven RBI, and 12 runs scored in only 30 games in 2025 in his third year in the big leagues because of injuries. He hit .231/.294/.412 with 31 home runs, 81 RBI, and 39 stolen bases in his first two MLB seasons, but he led all of baseball with 188 strikeouts in 547 plate appearances in 2024. When healthy, Gelof will compete for a spot in the A's everyday lineup, but given his late start this spring, he's more likely to begin the 2026 season at Triple-A Sacramento.

21 hours ago

Leo De Vries • SS • Athletics

Leo De Vries Crushes Two Home Runs on Sunday

Athletics shortstop prospect Leo De Vries went 2-for-4 with two home runs and six RBI during their victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday afternoon. The team's No. 1-ranked prospect (and MLB.com's No. 4-ranked prospect) enjoyed a massive breakout game. Overall, through 11 spring training games, De Vries has gone 10-for-26 with three stolen bases and the aforementioned two long balls. The young shortstop joined the Athletics ahead of last year's trade deadline in the deal that moved top right-handed closer Mason Miller to San Diego. Last season, De Vries logged 118 games (shared between High-A and Double-A), where he posted a .255/.355/.451 line with an .806 OPS, 15 HRs, and 11 SBs. If he continues this pace, De Vries could join Triple-A Las Vegas before the All-Star break.

Yesterday

Leo De Vries • SS • Athletics

Leo De Vries Exits Early on Saturday

Athletics shortstop Leo De Vries (illness) was removed early during Saturday's Spring Training contest against the San Francisco Giants. De Vries was pulled out of the game due to illness, which was likely dehydration. Luckily, this sounds like something minor that shouldn't keep De Vries sidelined for long. The expectation is that he'll be back in the lineup within a day or two. The 19-year-old is viewed as one of the top prospects in the league. He made it to Double-A last season and is likely going to open the 2026 season there or in Triple-A. There's a chance that De Vries makes his MLB debut in 2026, but that depends on how he performs in the minors. Regardless, the future is extremely bright for the youngster.

Feb 28

Tyler Soderstrom • LF • Athletics

Tyler Soderstrom Off to Strong Start This Spring

Athletics first baseman/outfielder Tyler Soderstrom went 2-for-3 with two RBI and two runs scored in Thursday's Cactus League win over the Texas Rangers, and he's gone 3-for-7 with two RBI, two runs, a walk, and a strikeout in his three spring games. The 24-year-old left-handed slugger is part of the A's exciting mix of young players. He signed a seven-year, $86 million contract extension in December after slashing .276/.346/.474 with a career-high .820 OPS, 25 home runs, 93 RBI, 75 runs scored, and eight stolen bases in 624 plate appearances over 158 games played in his first full season in the big leagues in 2025. With Nick Kurtz locked in at first base, Soderstrom will be the A's regular in left field going into the 2026 campaign. His batted-ball metrics indicate his breakout was for real, especially as he made more contact.

Feb 27

Gunnar Hoglund • SP • Athletics

Gunnar Hoglund Dealing with Knee Injury

Athletics right-handed pitcher Gunnar Hoglund (knee) is set to see a doctor regarding a knee injury he suffered earlier in camp, according to Marin Gallegos of MLB.com. The 26-year-old has not been on the mound since last May after undergoing season-ending hip surgery. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status, but it appears Hoglund could be in danger of missing time to begin the 2026 season. In 2025, Hoglund made his MLB debut and posted a 6.40 ERA with a 1.52 WHIP over his first 32 1/3 innings with the Athletics. In this stint, Hoglund struck out only 23 hitters. At Triple-A, Hoglund found much more success, posting a 2.43 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, with a 30:7 K:BB over a short 29 2/3 inning stint. When cleared to return, Hoglund should be in the mix to see spot starts in the rotation or operate in a long relief role in the bullpen.

Feb 27

Jacob Lopez • SP • Athletics

Jacob Lopez Throwing Live Batting Practice, Nearing Spring Debut

Athletics left-handed starting pitcher Jacob Lopez (elbow) has been throwing live batting practice this week and is tentatively lined up to make his spring training debut on March 8 against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The 27-year-old has been on the shelf since being placed on the 15-day injured list last August with a shoulder strain. However, the southpaw has progressed well and appears to be on track to be a full-go to begin the season. With the Athletics last summer, Lopez logged a career-high 92 2/3 innings with a 4.08 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP. He struck out 113 hitters but posted a modest 9.3% BB rate. Under the hood, Lopez generated a strong 3.64 xERA with a .211 xBA, suggesting he should see some positive regression in 2026. He carries some sleeper appeal in deeper leagues given his underlying metrics and above-average strikeout upside.

Feb 27

Nick Kurtz • 1B • Athletics

A's Offer Long-Term Extension to Nick Kurtz

The Athletics have made a long-term extension offer to American League Rookie of the Year first baseman Nick Kurtz, two sources told Joel Sherman of the New York Post. There's no word on whether the two sides will actually get something done this spring, but the team has done pre-arbitration extensions with outfielder Lawrence Butler, first baseman/outfielder Tyler Soderstrom, and shortstop Jacob Wilson. Going into his second MLB season, Kurtz is already the top-ranked fantasy first baseman at RotoBaller after hitting .290/.383/.619 with a 1.002 OPS, 36 home runs, 86 RBI, and 90 runs scored in 489 plate appearances in 117 games in 2025. The most impressive feat is the fact that he almost hit .300 despite striking out 30% of the time. Fantasy managers should expect regression with his average if he continues to whiff at that rate, but Kurtz's power upside from the left side is already elite, especially at one of the most hitter-friendly ballparks in the league.

Feb 26

Lawrence Butler • RF • Athletics

Lawrence Butler Likely to be Held Out of Games Until Mid-Spring

Athletics outfielder Lawrence Butler (knee) is in the final stages of rehab from offseason knee surgery and will likely be held out of Cactus League games until mid-spring, according to MLB.com's Martin Gallegos. Butler, 25, had surgery last October to fix a torn patellar tendon in his right knee, and he also needed a platelet-rich plasma injection for tendinitis in his left knee. It's not exactly what you want to hear from a power/speed outfielder in his prime, but the good news is that Butler is expected to be ready for Opening Day in late March as an everyday player for the A's. The former sixth-rounder in 2018 saw his batting average drop significantly in his second full season in the big leagues, but he still hit 21 homers, drove in 63 runs, and stole 22 bases in 152 games while playing through knee issues. An elevated strikeout rate (28.4%) was to blame for his drop in average. There's lots of risk here, but a healthy Butler has 30-30 potential in one of the most hitter-friendly ballparks in Sacramento.

Feb 18

Zack Gelof • 2B • Athletics

Zack Gelof Being Eased in as he Builds his Swing Progression

Athletics second baseman Zack Gelof will miss the start of the Cactus League schedule in spring training because he is still building up his swing progression, according to Martin Gallegos of MLB.com. Gelof is healthy heading into the 2026 campaign after missing significant time last year with hand, shoulder, and rib injuries, and with newcomer Jeff McNeil in line to see everyday playing time at second base, the 26-year-old is working in center field in camp to become more versatile and give him a better shot at making the Opening Day roster. In addition to working in the outfield, Gelof is ironing out his swing after playing in just 30 big-league games in 2025. He struggled at the plate in that small sample size, going 16-for-92 (.174) with two homers, seven RBI, and 46 strikeouts. Gelof led the majors with 188 strikeouts in 2024, and his batted-ball metrics don't paint a pretty picture. He has a lot of work to do to get back onto the fantasy radar in mixed leagues.

Feb 18

Zack Gelof • 2B • Athletics

Zack Gelof "Feeling Ready to Go"

Athletics second baseman Zack Gelof (shoulder) told Foul Territory on Wednesday that he's "feeling healthy, feeling ready to go," according to Jason Burke of Sports Illustrated. Gelof is very excited for the upcoming season and will be reporting to spring training on Friday. The 26-year-old is expected to be a full-go in camp after an injury-plagued 2025 campaign. He didn't make his season debut until early July after recovering from a fractured right wrist and a stress reaction in his ribs, and then he was shut down in the final month with a dislocated left shoulder. In between, Gelof hit an ugly .174/.230/.272 with two home runs, seven RBI, seven walks, and 46 K's in 30 games (101 plate appearances). Gelof looks to be healthy after having surgery on his shoulder, but he'll need to stay healthy and beat out Darrell Hernaiz for playing time at the keystone. Making contact has been an issue for the former second-rounder, as he led the league in strikeouts with 188 in 547 plate appearances in 2024.

Feb 11

Aaron Civale • SP • Athletics

Aaron Civale, A's Agree on One-Year Deal

Free-agent right-hander Aaron Civale and the Athletics agreed to a one-year, $6 million deal on Tuesday, sources told Jeff Passan of ESPN. The 30-year-old will add a veteran arm to an A's team with postseason aspirations in 2026. He can make an additional $1.5 million this year through incentives. Civale spent the 2025 campaign pitching for the Milwaukee Brewers, Chicago White Sox, and Chicago Cubs, going 4-9 with a 4.85 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, and 88:33 K:BB in 102 innings over 23 appearances (18 starts). With the move to Sacramento, he should be a lock to open the season in the starting rotation for the A's. Civale struggled with home runs as a starter with both the Brewers and White Sox last year, and things won't be any easier in his new home ballpark, which was one of the most hitter-friendly environments in baseball.

Feb 10

Lawrence Butler • RF • Athletics

Can Lawrence Butler Bounce Back from Underwhelming 2025 Campaign?

Athletics outfielder Lawrence Butler (knee) was one of the breakout stars of the 2024 fantasy baseball season, recording an .807 OPS with 22 home runs and 18 stolen bases across just 451 plate appearances and earning a seven-year contract extension from his organization. However, the 25-year-old posted a somewhat underwhelming follow-up campaign in 2025. Across 630 plate appearances, Butler hit .234/.306/.404 with 21 home runs, 63 RBI, 83 runs scored, and 22 stolen bases. His strikeout rate jumped from 23.9% in 2024 to 28.4% in 2025, while his barrel rate fell from 11% to 9.2%. Over the offseason, Butler underwent knee surgery to repair a torn right patellar tendon, and reportedly battled knee troubles throughout 2025. He expects to be ready for the start of Spring Training, which means Butler could be in line for a bounce-back season with improved health. Even in a down year, Butler still provided fantasy managers with both power and speed, and he profiles as an everyday regular in an improving Athletics lineup. Butler carries some downside risk, but he could represent a value pick for fantasy managers as the 135th player off the board by current average draft position.

Feb 7

Junior Perez • CF • Athletics

Junior Perez in the Running for Backup Outfield Spot

Athletics outfield prospect Junior Perez could be in the "running for a backup outfielder gig" at spring training this year, according to MLB.com. The A's aren't shy about fast-tracking young players, and Perez has impressive tools. The 24-year-old Dominican slashed .231/.348/.473 with an .821 OPS, 26 home runs, 87 RBI, 87 runs scored, and 27 stolen bases in 137 games with Double-A Midland and Triple-A Las Vegas in 2025 over 587 plate appearances. Perez walked 14.8% of the time, but the drawback was his 28.1% strikeout rate, which led to his low average at the plate. He also had a career-best contact rate (73.5%) and career-best swinging-strike rate (10.3%). The hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League may have inflated his counting stats, but nobody will argue that Perez doesn't have intriguing tools. In addition to his offensive skills, Perez is a good defender with a plus arm. He figures to get his first taste of the big leagues in another hitter-friendly ballpark in Sacramento in 2026.

Feb 6

Scott Barlow • RP • Athletics

Scott Barlow Agrees to One-Year Deal With Athletics

Free-agent right-handed reliever Scott Barlow and the Athletics agreed to a one-year, $2 million contract on Friday that includes $1.3 million in performance bonuses, a source told Robert Murray of FanSided.com. Barlow was originally a sixth-round pick by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2011, and he made his major-league debut in 2018. He spent the first five years of his career in KC before bouncing around with the San Diego Padres, Cleveland Guardians, and Cincinnati Reds for the last three years. In a career-high 75 outings (one start) with the Reds last year, the 33-year-old veteran held a 4.21 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, one save, 75 strikeouts, and a career-high 45 walks in 68 1/3 innings. He'll immediately become the most experienced reliever in Sacramento in terms of career saves (59), but he hasn't had a sub-4.00 ERA since 2022 and could be involved in a closer-by-committee situation in one of the most hitter-friendly ballparks in the majors.

Feb 6

Andy Ibáñez • 3B • Athletics

Andy Ibanez Claimed Off Waivers by Athletics

The Athletics have claimed infielder Andy Ibanez off waivers from the Los Angeles Dodgers. Ibanez signed a one-year, $1.2 million deal with the Dodgers in mid-January. He was recently designated for assignment by the organization, but has quickly found a new home. The expectation is that Ibanez will play in a platoon-type role with Jeff McNeil at second base. In 2025, Ibanez slashed .239/.301/.352 with four home runs, 21 RBI, and four steals in 91 games with the Detroit Tigers. The 32-year-old is better against left-handed pitching, slashing .258/.311/.403 in 135 plate appearances versus southpaws last season. He could be a useful platoon player, but is unlikely to offer much fantasy value.

Feb 6

Nick Kurtz • 1B • Athletics

Nick Kurtz Carries High-End Power Upside Heading into 2026

After getting promoted to the big leagues in late April, Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz showed elite power potential on his way to winning the 2025 American League Rookie of the Year award. Across 489 MLB plate appearances, the 22-year-old posted a .290/.383/.619 slash line with 36 home runs, 86 RBI, 90 runs scored, and two stolen bases. Kurtz's underlying power metrics support his dominance, as he posted an 18.3% barrel rate and 50.9% hard-hit rate. If there's one area of concern for Kurtz, it's swing-and-miss. He struck out in 30.9% of his plate appearances as a rookie, which could indicate some batting average regression is coming for him in 2026. However, Kurtz profiles as a classic left-handed slugger who has a chance to be among the MLB leaders in home runs and RBI. He also gets the benefit of playing his 2026 home games in a minor-league ballpark in Sacramento with an Athletics lineup that finished sixth in the American League in runs scored in 2025. Kurtz should be one of the first few first basemen off the board in fantasy drafts over the next few months.

Jan 31

Jacob Wilson • SS • Athletics

Jacob Wilson Signs Seven-Year Extension

Athletics infielder Jacob Wilson has agreed to a long-term extension with the organization on Friday. The two sides have agreed on a seven-year, $70 million extension, including an eighth-year club option. It didn't take long for the A's to lock up their young infielder after a breakout rookie campaign. In 2025, Wilson slashed .311/.355/.444 with 13 home runs, 63 RBI, and five steals in 125 games. He finished second in the AL Rookie of the Year voting behind his teammate Nick Kurtz. The A's have seen enough of the 23-year-old to warrant buying out the rest of his rookie contract. The front office has done a nice job of locking up their young talent with Brent Rooker, Tyler Soderstrom, Lawrence Butler, and now Wilson signed to long-term deals. The A's have some strong pieces to build a future around going forward.

Jan 30

Jacob Wilson • SS • Athletics

Jacob Wilson Focuses on Building Strength in Offseason

Athletics shortstop Jacob Wilson prioritized increasing his strength during the offseason. Wilson noted that it was the "main focus" and spent the entire offseason in the Athletics facility, adding strength. The 23-year-old shortstop enjoyed an impressive rookie season in the majors, posting a .311/.355/.444 line with 13 home runs and five stolen bases. He generated an elite 90th percentile xBA with a 100th percentile strikeout rate. However, he rarely made hard contact, as evidenced in his low 2.2% barrel rate and a 24.7% hard-hit rate, both of which placed him in the second percentile among qualified hitters. However, with Wilson prioritizing improving this aspect of his game, he could take a step forward in the power department in 2026. Managers should continue to view Wilson as an elite batting-average contributor with the upside to push for double-digit home runs in the upcoming season.

Jan 30

Gage Jump • SP • Athletics

Gage Jump Headed to Big-League Camp

The Athletics have invited left-handed pitching prospect Gage Jump to MLB spring training. Jump was drafted by the Athletics in the 2024 MLB Draft and has quickly progressed through their system. Jump made his professional debut in 2025 with High-A Lansing but needed only 31 innings to prove he was ready to make the leap to Double-A. With High-A, the southpaw struck out 45 hitters while holding a 2.32 ERA with a 0.84 WHIP. During his first stint at Double-A, Jump would log 81 2/3 innings to the tune of a 3.64 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP. Jump would tally 89 punchouts and serve up 29 free passes. Given his inconsistent play at Double-A, managers should expect him to remain at Midland to start 2026. However, if he can join Triple-A Las Vegas in the first half, he could compete for a late-season MLB debut.

Jan 29

Leo De Vries • SS • Athletics

Leodalis De Vries Earns Invite to Spring Training

The Athletics have invited top infield prospect Leodalis De Vries to big-league spring training. De Vries is considered the No. 3-ranked prospect in the entire sport on MLB.com. He was the top piece included in the trade that sent Mason Miller to San Diego last season. De Vries began his 2025 season with High-A Fort Wayne but finished it with Double-A. Through 97 games at High-A (split between Fort Wayne and Lansing), De Vries posted a .249/.354/.426 line with 21 doubles, 10 home runs, and nine stolen bases. He was then given a short 21-game stint at Double-A Midland, where he posted a .281/.359/.551 line with five long balls. Managers should closely monitor De Vries' progression as he could make a strong case to begin the season at Triple-A, which would open the door for a 2026 MLB debut.

Jan 29

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