Stripling to IL, Bielak DFA’d
The Athletics announces some roster moves Saturday morning, getting some bullpen reinforcements for tonight’s game against the Astros:
The Oakland A’s recalled RHP Tyler Ferguson and selected LHP Jack O’Loughlin from Triple-A Las Vegas. The A’s also placed RHP Ross Stripling on the 15-day injured list with a strained right elbow and designated RHP Brandon Bielak for assignment.
— Oakland A's Communications (@AthleticsPR) May 25, 2024
The A’s bullpen has been getting taxed a bit more than the team would like right now. Starters aren’t making it as deep into games as they need to and it’s affecting the bullpen on a seemingly daily basis.
Firstly, righty Tyler Ferguson rejoins the club after less than a week away from the club. His first stint was mostly successful, though he got lit up for four runs in his most recent outing to skew his season line. He’ll now rejoin the ‘pen and try to show that one outing was an outlier
He’s not the only one joining the bullpen tonight. The club also recalled left-hander Jack O’Loughlin for the first time. When O’Loughlin takes the mound for the A’s it’ll be a culmination of seven years in the minor leagues, with one of those seasons lost to Covid. The 24-year old struggles with command but has strikeout stuff and could be an interesting lefty-on-lefty option for Kotsay in a late-game situation. He now joins Scott Alexander, Kyle Muller, and TJ McFarland as left-handed bullpen options.
And as Ken Rosenthal points out, he’ll be joining rare company when he makes his debut:
A’s calling up left-hander Jack O’Loughlin, source tells @TheAthletic. When O’Loughlin makes his debut, he will become the 38th native Australian to make it to the majors. No word yet on corresponding move.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) May 25, 2024
As we now know, the corresponding move was the placement of yesterday’s starting pitcher Ross Stripling on the IL with a strained right elbow. Stripling was lit up for six runs in 3 2⁄3 innings yesterday, continuing a string of tough starts and a difficult season in general. Having already undergone Tommy John surgery once, the elbow injury sounds ominous and it wouldn’t be a surprise if Stripling is set to miss an extended period of time. Even with the less than stellar results the team needs someone to soak up innings and they’ll miss Stripling in that regard.
In addition to the Stripling IL placement, the club also designated for assignment Brandon Bielak. The right-hander only made it into three games for the Athletics after being claimed off waivers from the division rival Astros. In his stint with the A’s he pitched 5 2⁄3 innings while allowing just two runs, both in his first appearance. Based off that and the fact that he can be a starting option later, the club is surely hoping to sneak Bielak through waivers and stash him in Triple-A for a bit until another spot in the bullpen opens up.
