OAKLAND — With a pair of off days coming up, Athletics manager Mark Kotsay doesn’t see an immediate need to shoehorn in a fifth starter when they embark on a three-city road trip next week.
Cole Irvin starts Wednesday afternoon against the Houston Astros, and will be followed in order by James Kaprielian, Paul Blackburn and Frankie Montas for a three-game series against the Boston Red Sox which begins Friday.
After another day off on Monday, Irvin could conceivably pitch again on Tuesday unless the Athletics call up someone from the minor leagues.
“We’re going to stay in turn, and then after the next off day decide whether we make a move,” Kotsay said.
Of the four starters, Kaprielian (0-2, 5.93 earned run average) has struggled the most while the other three have been solid although Montas and Blackburn pitched in tough luck in the first two losses against the Astros. Montas (2-5) pitched into the eighth inning against the Astros Tuesday night and has a 3.20 earned run average, having given up just 49 hits in 64 2/3 innings with 71 strikeouts and 15 walks.
If the A’s decide to bring up a fifth starter, Zach Logue would be a possibility to return to the rotation after two poor starts with the A’s where he struggled with his command. Another name to keep an eye on is Aptos native Jared Koenig, a left-hander who is scheduled to start Wednesday for Triple-A Las Vegas and has a 4-2 record and 2.30 earned run average.
And we’re on the board 😎
Stephen Vogt hits a solo HR in the 3rd
Dorados 2, Reyes 1 pic.twitter.com/M4PcbUjomY— Las Vegas Aviators (@AviatorsLV) June 1, 2022
VOGT GETTING CLOSE
Catcher Stephen Vogt hit a solo home run Tuesday during a rehab start in Las Vegas and could be nearing a return to the A’s roster.
The home run wasn’t the only encouraging sign to Kotsay.
“He caught five innings, blocked a ball, beat out a double-play ball and came out feeling good,” Kotsay said. “he’s on tap today, depending on how he recovers, to play first base possibly.”
NOTABLE
— Infielder/designated hitter Jed Lowrie and catcher Sean Murphy were not in the starting lineup for a day game after a night game.
— Pitchers Brent Honeywell Jr. (stress reaction right elbow) and Daulton Jefferies (right arm nerve irritation) are both on the I.L. but played catch before the game. Outfielder Stephen Piscotty (calf) was also getting in some work. There is no timetable for their return.
— Ex-Red Sox player Kotsay’s prediction on the NBA Finals? Warriors in six games over the Boston Celtics.
“The Celtics are going to be tough, but Klay (Thompson) takes over Game 6,” Kotsay said.
LINEUP
Tony Kemp 2B
Ramon Laureano RF
Chad Pinder DH
Seth Brown 1B
Elvis Andrus SS
Christian Bethancourt C
Luis Barrera LF
Kevin Smith 3B
Cristian Pache CF
Cole Irvin P
