Oakland A’s swap out arms, add former Rays reliever to roster
An Oakland A’s team with significant question marks in its rotation demoted starter Adrián Martinez to Triple-A Las Vegas Tuesday amid a flurry of pregame roster moves ahead of a matchup with the Rangers.
With ace Frankie Montas battling shoulder inflammation that forced him to miss his scheduled start Saturday and righty Daulton Jefferies out for the season after undergoing thoracic outlet surgery last month, an already depleted A’s pitching staff will again be tested heading into the All-Star break.
Martinez was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas while right-hander Jake Lemoine was designated for assignment after posting a 7.71 ERA in nine appearances for Oakland this season. With two open roster spots including one vacant 40-man roster spot, the A’s recalled lefty Jared Koenig from Triple-A Las Vegas and claimed right-handed reliever David McKay off waivers from Tampa Bay.
McKay has spent time with the Yankees and Rays this season, but has appeared in just three major league games. The 27-year-old had a 2.91 ERA with 26 strikeouts in 21 ⅓ innings for the Yankees’ Triple-A affiliate before he was designated for assignment on June 21.
After being traded to Tampa Bay, McKay made just one appearance for the Rays’ major league squad (July 1) before being designated for assignment again.
The righty joins a crowded bullpen mix that could use another solid right-hander as the A’s two most reliable relief options this season, Sam Moll and A.J. Puk, both throw from the left side.
The bullpen, however, might be the least of Mark Kotsay’s concerns with a last-place team that’s lost four of its last five games.
MLB.com reported that Montas is expected to throw a bullpen Wednesday after participating in long toss in Arlington Monday with the hope the righty could rejoin the rotation and start as soon as this weekend’s series in Houston.
The A’s would love for Montas to be healthy enough to make multiple starts before the August 2 trade deadline as the hard-throwing starter has the potential to be one of the best players traded this summer. After dealing starters Sean Manaea and Chris Bassitt away before Opening Day and failing to receive players who could significant contributions to the major league roster this season in return, the A’s are likely hoping any potential deal that sends Montas elsewhere nets the team a pitching prospect who could be part of Oakland’s next core.
With Martinez heading back to Las Vegas, Koenig, an Aptos High product, could help plug a hole in the team’s rotation this weekend. After James Kaprelian faces the Rangers Tuesday, he could return on regular rest and start Sunday against the Astros while All-Star Paul Blackburn is slated to make his last start of a memorable first half in Wednesday’s series finale against the Rangers.
Beyond Blackburn’s start, the A’s have yet to reveal their probable pitchers, which means Koenig could take a turn in the rotation Friday at MinuteMaid Park unless he’s needed out of the bullpen earlier.
Having Koenig pitch on Friday could give Montas valuable rest needed to prepare for Saturday’s game, which could be a showcase start for interested clubs who would like to see how he performs against a tough Astros lineup.
Koenig, who pitched for the San Rafael Pacifics in independent ball in 2018 and the Auckland Tuatara of the Australian Baseball League in 2019, made his major league debut with the A’s earlier this year. In four major league starts, the 28-year-old southpaw has a 6.38 ERA.
Koenig has been much better at Triple-A, where he’s compiled a 3.38 ERA across 11 appearances (10 starts) while striking out more than a batter per inning.