Happy Wednesday, Athletics Nation!
In a sense, I’d say that the battle for the fifth starting rotation slot was actually muddled a tad since Mitch Spence laid an egg in his most recent appearance on Saturday against the Brewers, allowing seven runs in 3⅔ innings. Despite that, my gut tells me Spence will still make the Opening Day rotation along with Luis Severino, JP Sears, Osvaldo Bido, and Jeffrey Springs.
Gallegos expresses surprise that the A’s optioned No. 18 prospect Grant Holman along with fellow righty Elvis Alvarado on Sunday, but continues to note that with these cuts and the Michel Otañez injury, a full roster of 13 pitchers remains in camp.
Once the rotation is settled, either Spence or Estes is likely to join an Opening Day bullpen consisting of Mason Miller, José Leclerc, Tyler Ferguson, T.J. McFarland, Noah Murdock, Hogan Harris, and Justin Sterner.
Finally, with Sunday’s cut of catcher Willie MacIver, Gallegos seems ready to acknowledge that Jhonny Pereda is the A’s presumptive backup to Shea Langeliers to start the 2025 season.
I know some of you have expressed skepticism that Estes will head to the bullpen if he doesn’t make the rotation, though Gallegos betrays no such doubts in his piece. So what alternative do you think the A’s might go to if Spence does wind up in the Opening Day rotation? I am truly interested in your thoughts!