LATEST NEWS

May 18: LHP Easton Lucas claimed off waivers by Tigers
Lucas was designated for assignment on Thursday to make room for Brandon Bielak, who the A's acquired via trade from the Astros for cash considerations. The lefty reliever was claimed two days later by the Tigers. Lucas appeared in three games for Oakland in 2024, compiling a 14.73 ERA and striking out six batters over 3 2/3 innings. He tossed 6 2/3 innings with the A's last season and had an 8.10 ERA.

May 17: RHP Brandon Bielak acquired from Astros; LHP Hogan Harris optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas
The A's acquired Bielak from the Astros in exchange for cash considerations on Thursday. Bielak was designated for assignment by Houston on Saturday after posting a 5.71 ERA in 10 relief appearances.

To clear a spot on Oakland’s 40-man roster, Easton Lucas was designated for assignment on Thursday. On Friday, the A's optioned Harris to clear a spot for Bielak on the 26-man active roster. Harris appeared in two games, striking out eight batters over 8 2/3 innings (4.15 ERA).

Bielak, who made 13 starts for the Astros last season and posted a 3.83 ERA over 80 innings, could eventually find himself making some starts for a depleted A’s rotation that has seen three members land on the injured list over the past week.

“In terms of experience, this is one thing we value,” said manager Mark Kotsay. “He’s got two-plus years pitching in the big leagues. He’ll add some depth, and there’s a possibility we build him up with where our rotation is right now. There may be a role for him there.”

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10-DAY/15-DAY INJURED LIST

OF Miguel Andujar (right knee)
Expected return: Late May
Andujar began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Las Vegas on May 16 and drove in three runs, notching a double and single in his first game with the Aviators. A's manager Mark Kotsay said Andujar will play back-to-back games on May 18 and 19 before the A's will evaluate him and determine next steps.

"It’s nice to see that he stepped back in and didn’t miss a beat," Kotsay said. "He had a great spring, he was obviously projected to be on this team out of camp and be a major impact to this club. When he’s ready, it’ll be nice to get him back and have his bat in the lineup."

Andujar underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee on March 27 and is expected to join the A’s once the club determines he is fully built up. (Last updated: May 18)

LHP Scott Alexander (stress reaction in left rib)
Expected return: Late May
Alexander has made five rehab appearances since his injury, with his latest three coming with Triple-A Las Vegas on May 10, May 14 and May 17. Alexander didn't record an out and allowed five runs (four earned) on May 10, but bounced back with scoreless innings of relief on May 14 and May 17. He will continue his rehab assignment with Las Vegas and could be activated as soon as the week of May 20. (Last updated: May 18)

RHP Joe Boyle (lower back strain)
Expected return: Late May
Boyle landed on the 15-day IL on May 6 after he was diagnosed with a lower back strain. On May 17 in Kansas City, manager Mark Kotsay said that Boyle will throw a "two-up" bullpen session on May 19, which simulates throwing pitches and sitting for a period of time before throwing more pitches. (Last updated: May 17)

LHP Alex Wood (rotator cuff tendinitis)
Expected return: June
After seeing team doctors in Oakland on May 14, Wood was diagnosed with rotator cuff tendinitis and is expected to be shut down from throwing for at least 10-14 days from that date. His 15-day IL placement is retroactive to May 13, though the A’s do not have a timetable for his return at this time. (Last updated: May 15)

RHP Paul Blackburn (right foot stress reaction)
Expected return: June
Blackburn’s placement on the injured list is retroactive to May 11. On May 13, manager Mark Kotsay revealed that the right-hander would be in a walking boot for at least two weeks, which will keep him out longer than the 15-day minimum. (Last updated: May 13)

60-DAY IL

LHP Sean Newcomb (left knee irritation)
Expected return: TBD
Newcomb threw a scoreless inning of relief and struck out two with the club's Arizona Complex League team on May 18. It was his first game action after he pitched a sim game on May 10 at the Athletics' Minor League complex in Arizona. There is no timeline for a return, but A's manager Mark Kotsay said Newcomb came out of the Arizona Complex League outing "feeling great." (Last updated: May 18)

INF Aledmys Díaz (right calf strain)
Expected return: June
Díaz began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Las Vegas on May 10, and has gone 2-for-14 in five games with the Aviators. Given that he missed most of Spring Training due to injury, the A’s plan to take a slow approach to his rehab process and do not have a timetable for his return. (Last updated: May 18)

RHP Luis Medina (Grade 2 MCL sprain)
Expected return: June
Medina faced hitters in a 20-pitch live bullpen at the Coliseum on May 6 and came away feeling healthy. He made his first start in the Arizona Complex League on May 15 and allowed six runs over two innings while striking out three. (Last updated: May 18)

RHP Freddy Tarnok (right hip inflammation)
Expected return: June
Tarnok began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Las Vegas on May 8 and has made three appearances for the Aviators. He tossed a scoreless inning in his first outing on May 8, but has allowed five runs and struck out two over a combined 1 1/3 innings over his past two relief outings on May 12 and May 15. (Last updated: May 18)

LHP Ken Waldichuk (left elbow sprain)
Expected return: June 2025
Waldichuk underwent a successful Tommy John surgery and internal brace procedure with Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles on May 15. Sidelined for the remainder of the 2024 season, the A’s estimate a recovery timeline of 13 months, which puts Waldichuk in line for a potential return to Major League action next June. (Last updated: May 16)

SS Darell Hernaiz (left ankle sprain)
Expected return: TBD
After Hernaiz exited Oakland’s loss to Texas on May 7 after landing awkwardly on the first-base bag while trying to beat out an infield hit, an MRI exam revealed a “severe” sprain of his left ankle. Currently in a walking boot, he was transferred to the 60-day injured list on May 15, which will keep him sidelined until at least July 7. (Last updated: May 15)

RHP Trevor Gott (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: 2025
After feeling discomfort following his Cactus League outing on March 16 against the Brewers, MRI results revealed a full tear of the ulnar collateral ligament in Gott’s right elbow. He is set to undergo Tommy John surgery, which will cause him to miss the entirety of the 2024 season. (Last updated: March 24)

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