After the Boston Red Sox optioned right-hander Quinn Priester to Triple-A Worcester on Sunday, it's likely that left-hander Sean Newcomb will open the year as the team's fifth starter, and he was officially added to the Opening Day roster on Thursday before their game against the Texas Rangers. Newcomb earned the spot, posting a 0.63 ERA with 13 strikeouts in five Grapefruit League appearances (four starts). Injuries to Brayan Bello (shoulder), Kutter Crawford (knee) and Lucas Giolito (hamstring) have given the 31-year-old southpaw an opportunity to open the 2025 campaign. However, depending on how he fares on the mound, Newcomb could only be in line to stick in Boston's rotation for the first couple of turns in the first month of the season. His season debut will come on Monday in Baltimore against the division-rival Orioles, where he should be avoided in fantasy.
MLB.com's Ian Browne says not to rule out Boston Red Sox left-hander Sean Newcomb for an Opening Day starting rotation spot with Brayan Bello (shoulder), Lucas Giolito (hamstring) and Kutter Crawford (knee) all opening the regular season on the injured list. "He's been solid. The cutter has made a difference. Throwing strikes, that's the most important thing. This is a guy we've seen from the last few years against us. It always caught my attention. They've done a good job, the pitching department, adding the cutter, kind of like a strike stealer or avoiding barrels. And so far, so good. He's in the hunt. He's caught our eyes," manager Alex Cora said. The 31-year-old southpaw and former first-rounder in 2014 by the Los Angeles Angels has given up only one run in 9 2/3 spring innings and is competing with Quinn Priester and Richard Fitts for the final rotation spot out of camp. The fact Newcomb doesn't have minor-league options left could help his cause.
Oakland Athletics left-hander Sean Newcomb (knee), who has not pitched since March 20, is experiencing irritation in the left knee that he had surgery on last September, and it will put him on the 15-day injured list to begin the 2024 season. Newcomb had a 3.00 ERA in four Cactus League outings this spring and was expected to begin the year in the bullpen as the team's top lefty relief option. In addition to Newcomb, the A's bullpen is also dealing with injuries to Trevor Gott (elbow), who needs Tommy John surgery, and lefty Scott Alexander (ribs), so they could explore the free-agent market for more relief options to start the season. The 30-year-old southpaw wasn't on the fantasy radar to begin with after making just seven appearances (two starts) in his first season with the A's in 2023.
Freddy Tarnok, Sean Newcomb Slightly Behind In Camp
Oakland Athletics manager Mark Kotsay mentioned that relief pitchers Sean Newcomb (knees) and Freddy Tarnok (hip) are "slightly behind" the rest of the team's pitchers at spring training as they return from surgeries. Both pitchers are progressing well on slower programs and may not pitch in Cactus League games right away. Newcomb, 30, had left-knee surgery in September and surgery on his right knee in December. The left-hander threw just 15 innings for the A's in 2023 and is ticketed for a long-relief role in 2024. Stay away from him in fantasy. Tarnok, 25, had right-hip surgery in August and will be an option for Oakland's starting rotation when he's healthy. He allowed eight earned runs while walking 11 and fanning 14 in 14 2/3 innings over five outings (one start) in 2023.
The Oakland Athletics announced on Wednesday that left-hander Sean Newcomb (knee) underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee with Dr. Will Workman. It's different from the left-knee surgery he had in September, and he's expected to be ready for spring training. Newcomb made only seven big-league appearances (two starts) for the A's in 2023, allowing five earned runs on eight hits (one homer) while walking nine and striking out 17 in 15 innings pitched. The 30-year-old southpaw could be used as both a starter and reliever for Oakland again in 2024, but he's not going to have much fantasy appeal. In seven years in the majors with the A's, Atlanta Braves and Chicago Cubs, Newcomb has a 4.47 ERA (4.41 FIP) and 1.46 WHIP in 168 appearances (60 starts) covering 421 innings.
Sean Newcomb Remains With A's On One-Year Extension
Oakland A's pitcher Sean Newcomb has inked a one-year, $1 million deal to remain with the club for the 2024 season. The left-hander was acquired by the A's from the San Francisco Giants in exchange for minor league outfielder Trenton Brooks in a rare post-deadline deal between the two Bay Area clubs. Newcomb never pitched in the big leagues for the Giants but appeared in seven games for the A's, posting a 3.00 ERA and 27.9% K% across 15 innings of work. For his career, the 2014 first-round pick sports a 4.47 ERA across 168 appearances, although his talents have been capped by subpar control by way of a career 12.3% BB%. He will likely serve as a reliever and opener for the A's in the 2024 campaign.
Sean Newcomb Heads To Injured List With Knee Strain
Oakland Athletics pitcher Sean Newcomb (knee) was placed on the IL with a strained left knee. Right-handed pitcher Joe Boyle was selected from Triple-A Las Vegas to replace Newcomb on the roster. The last two appearances for the lefty have been starts as he combined for seven innings, giving up four earned runs. The 30-year-old was once a top prospect but has fallen on tough times over the last three-plus years. He was given another shot to start late in the season for the A's but struggled in his second outing and will now be on the shelf.
The San Francisco Giants have traded pitcher Sean Newcomb to the Oakland Athletics in exchange for outfielder Trenton Brooks. It's a rare deal between the two Bay Area clubs as an MLB veteran goes from the Giants to the A's while a minor-league veteran heads to San Francisco. Newcomb, 30, was once a prized youngster with the Braves, debuting with 19 starts of 4.32 ERA ball as a 24-year-old in 2017. He eventually transitioned to a relief role but most recently struggled to an 8.78 ERA across 20 appearances between the Braves and Cubs a season ago. Newcomb tossed a 3.16 ERA in 31 1/3 innings with Triple-A Sacramento this season. Brooks, 28, is a career .264 hitter with 57 homers and 15 stolen bases across 571 career minor-league contests spanning parts of seven seasons.
The Oakland Athletics acquired left-hander Sean Newcomb from the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday in exchange for outfielder Trenton Brooks. The trade was allowed because neither Newcomb nor Brooks have been on a 40-man big-league roster in 2023. Newcomb has been a solid reliever at Triple-A Sacramento this year, posting a 3.16 ERA with 40 strikeouts in 31 1/3 innings pitched. The 30-year-old southpaw will now report to Triple-A Las Vegas and serve as relief depth for the rebuilding A's. Brooks, 28, has turned some heads at Vegas this year, slashing .299/.405/.529 with a .934 OPS, 16 home runs, 71 RBI, five stolen bases and 78 runs scored in 94 games. He was originally taken in the 17th round in 2016 by the Cleveland Guardians.
Chicago Cubs left-hander Sean Newcomb (ankle) is scheduled to make another minor league rehab outing on Friday. Newcomb began his rehab assignment with Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday. The 28-year-old southpaw has been out for just under two weeks with a left ankle sprain, but he could be activated to the active roster after his outing on Friday, barring any setbacks. He began the season with the Atlanta Braves before being traded to the Cubs. In 8 1/3 relief innings between both teams, he's allowed seven earned runs while walking five and striking out seven in six relief appearances. Newcomb can be ignored by fantasy managers for now.
Sean Newcomb
• SP
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Red Sox
