MLB news roundup
Happy Friday, Athletics Nation!
Following a brutal 1-6 homestand to begin the 2024 season, the A’s have turned things around with a 4-2 road trip. They took two of three from a frisky Tigers team in Detroit, and then twice bested the defending world champion Texas Rangers through three contests in Arlington. Now we shall see if the A’s can carry this momentum and confidence back to the echo chamber that is the Oakland Coliseum, where the A’s begin their second homestand of the season tonight against the Washington Nationals.
One of the brighter spots on the roster has to be veteran starting pitcher Paul Blackburn, who is leading the way with a perfect 0.00 ERA after his first two starts. Blackburn is back on the bump tonight against righty Jake Irvin for the Nationals.
Blackburn’s rotation mate JP Sears had a rough go of his first two starts this season, but the lefty appears to be back on track in a big way after flirting with a no-no against the Rangers yesterday.
Perhaps most impressive of all the A’s arms belongs to Mason Miller, who appears to have emerged as the team’s closer after two dazzlingly successful save attempts in the Texas series. Miller is throwing harder than anyone else in the game right now. Here he is, owning superstar shortstop Corey Seager with an absolutely filthy 103 mph four-seamer.
Mason Miller just hit 1⃣0⃣3⃣ while handing Corey Seager a golden sombrero pic.twitter.com/tbhFtjW1ft
— The Rickey Henderson of Blogs (@RickeyBlog) April 11, 2024
Ay caramba!
As a fan, it’s nice to be heading into a weekend full of A’s baseball on high notes like these. Unfortunately, the A’s will need to continue making do without one of their best power bats: Brent Rooker was just beginning to break an early season slump when he came down with a costochondral cartilage injury and got placed on the IL. Taking Rooker’s spot for the time being is not the recently demoted Esteury Ruiz, but rather Max Schuemann. The 26-year-old utilityman could be making his MLB debut any day now. Kris Willis has more details on these latest roster moves.
Have a wonderful weekend, AN.
Roster moves.
OF B.Rooker to A’s IL, IF-OF M.Schuemann to A’s, RHP L.Medina to 60-day IL, RHPs A.Martinez/D.Correa to LV IL, C C.Perez to LV Development List, OF S.Piscotty/C Y.Pozo off LV Development List, RHP T.Baum to LV, RHP C.Peluse off MID Development List… https://t.co/joKXkyUAPy
— Athletics Farm (@AthleticsFarm) April 11, 2024
In fact, Miller has thrown the six fastest pitches in MLB this year per @CodifyBaseball
Fastest MLB pitches this year (MPH):
— Codify (@CodifyBaseball) April 11, 2024
Miller, 103.7
Miller, 103.3
Miller, 102.9
Miller, 102.6
Miller, 102.4
Miller, 102.3
Helsley, 102.2
Miller, 102.2
Helsley, 102.1
Kopech, 102.0
Miller, 101.8
Miller, 101.8
Miller, 101.8
Miller, 101.7
Miller, 101.6
Miller, 101.4
Miller, 101.4 https://t.co/xclEJ7MuzW
Wilson with a moonshot slam.
The moment the @Athletics #1 prospect, Jacob Wilson put the Hounds on top in the 8th inning! pic.twitter.com/eBxJbgGcTk
— Midland RockHounds (@RockHounds) April 12, 2024
Similar arc, fewer runs.
Another Triple-A HR for Esteury Ruiz. pic.twitter.com/Wqsa17ZQug
— Karl Buscheck (@KarlBuscheck) April 12, 2024
Ballers sign first female player.
Here's a quick video of Kelsie Whitmore, the Oakland B's 1st female player, throwing her fastball.
— Karl Buscheck (@KarlBuscheck) April 11, 2024
Would just like to announce I'm officially buying stock.
( IG / kelsie_whitmore) pic.twitter.com/S4xZrljAPu
