OAKLAND — The Oakland A’s rotation has been a rotating cast of characters for most of the season due to injuries, but they’re slated to get two veteran starters back in the next week or so.
Manager Mark Kotsay said before Monday’s game against the Houston Astros that veteran right-handers Paul Blackburn and Ross Stripling, who have both been out since May, could return from the injured list this week.
“It’s always great to get veteran guys back … that have led a rotation in the past,” Kotsay said. “Not just from the experience factor, but for that leadership role. Both of them have really grinded in the rehab process. It’s maybe taken a little longer than both of them would have wanted.
“There will be some emotion when they get back out there — for them and for the club as well.”
Kotsay said that Blackburn (60-day injured list, right foot stress reaction) and Stripling (15-day injured list, right elbow flexor strain) have both been built up enough to rejoin the rotation upon being activated as opposed to initially pitching out of the bullpen.
Stripling, who has a 5.82 ERA in 11 starts this season, threw a bullpen on Monday after pitching five innings of two-run ball for Triple-A Las Vegas on Saturday in his third rehab outing.
Blackburn, who has a 4.11 ERA in eight starts this year, allowed five earned runs over 2 2/3 innings with Triple-A Las Vegas in his third rehab outing on Sunday. Per Kotsay, Blackburn will throw his next bullpen on Tuesday or Wednesday.
“He feels good physically. He feels good mentally,” Kotsay said of Blackburn. “He’s excited to get back here and get on the mound and throw his pen as well.”
Bido to start on Tuesday
Osvaldo Bido will start for the A’s against the Astros on Tuesday, his first time getting a starting nod since the team’s doubleheader against the Rangers on May 8.
“Bido’s thrown really well for us,” Kotsay said. “It’s an opportunity to see him in the rotation. We’re confident that he’s earned that opportunity pitching out of the bullpen. He’s very similar to (Mitch) Spence. What’s great about him is he has the tools and ability to come out of the bullpen and pitch like he has in a single inning and multiple innings. Now, we’re going to look at him as a starter.”
Since being recalled in late June, Bido has allowed three earned runs over 15 2/3 innings (1.72 ERA) with 12 strikeouts to nine walks (3.92 FIP).
Bido has fared much better as a reliever than as a starter in his brief major-league career. In 10 career starts, Bido has a 6.27 ERA over 37 1/3 innings. In 13 relief appearances, by contrast, Bido has a 3.98 ERA over 31 2/3 innings.
