MLB news roundup
Happy Monday, Athletics Nation!
The A’s bullpen suffered a significant setback over the weekend, with manager Mark Kotsay announcing that big righty Michel Otañez will likely be out to start the regular season.
Otañez made his MLB debut with the A’s last season and emerged as a high leverage relief option for the team with his high octane fastball, posting 14.56 K/9 and a 2.73 FIP through 36 innings. He reported discomfort after last Thursday’s appearance against the Reds, and an MRI confirmed his injury yesterday.
Per Martin Gallegos at MLB.com, Kotsay also indicated that this development could open a new spot in the bullpen for the time being. Gallegos notes that with numerous cuts already made in Spring Training, only Justin Sterner remains as an internal option on the 40-man roster. The 28-year-old righty, who pitched all of four innings in his first cup of coffee with the Rays last season, has pitched eight scoreless innings with 11 strikeouts and just one walk in this spring’s Cactus League play.
Gallegos also cites a number of pitchers who were recently optioned from camp as internal options, including Dylan Floro, Jason Alexander, Tanner Dodson, Grant Holman, Elvis Alvarado, and Jacob Lopez. Unmentioned is J.T. Ginn, who Gallegos said was “in the mix” for a bullpen spot last week and was also optioned yesterday; perhaps Ginn is seen more exclusively as a potential starter, after all.
A number of external options remain on the market such as David Robertson, Craig Kimbrel, Joe Kelly, Will Smith, and Brooks Raley.
Hopefully Otañez will recover quickly and return to the bullpen by May. Who would you go to in order to bridge the gap to Michel’s return, AN? Let us know in the comments! And have a terrific week.
A’s Coverage:
- Athletics fall to Giants in Spring Matchup 7-3
- A’s Pitchers Are Faltering In An “Under The Radar” Area
- A’s drop both sides of Saturday Split Squad DH
- Athletics destroy Angels 12-1 in Spring Training matchup
- Otañez setback opens a spot in A’s bullpen
- Rooker playing the outfield increases A’s options
- White showcases his power for A’s in Spring Breakou
MLB News & Interest:
- Cardinals name Sonny Gray Opening Day starter; concern over shaky spring minimal ($)
- Latest On Spencer Strider, Ronald Acuna Jr.
- White Sox Release Joey Gallo Ahead Of Move To Pitching
- Mookie Betts Questionable For Tokyo Series Due To Illness
- Dodger Details: Shohei Ohtani meeting the moment and more we’re seeing from Tokyo ($)
- Angels Notes: Rengifo, Neto, Moncada
- Orioles Notes: Henderson, Mateo, Urias
- Today in Baseball History
Best of X:
Roster moves.
The A’s have optioned RHPs Elvis Alvarado, J.T. Ginn & Grant Holman, IF Darell Hernaiz & OF Esteury Ruiz to Triple-A @AviatorsLV. The A’s have also reassigned 4 non-roster invitees to minor league camp: LHP Matt Krook, catcher Willie MacIver & IFs Logan Davidson & Alejo Lopez.
— Bill Moriarity – A’s Farm (@AthleticsFarm) March 17, 2025
Apparent close calls for Kurtz, Thomas.
In today’s A’s game, Nick Kurtz was hit in the hand by a pitch and Colby Thomas was hit in the leg by a batted ball. Both left the game, but x-rays were negative, so hopefully they’ve both avoided a scare.
— Bill Moriarity – A’s Farm (@AthleticsFarm) March 15, 2025
That’s entertainment!
This is the most “Banana Ball” video to ever exist pic.twitter.com/HGVk2M67ca
— The Party Animals (@ThePrtyAnimals) March 16, 2025