As expected, Jeffrey Springs will be getting the ball on Wednesday night in Kansas City. These last six weeks will likely serve as his audition for next season.
Veteran left-hander Jeffrey Springs has been activated from the IL, and will be starting on Wednesday night in Kansas City. To make room on the A's 26-man roster, right-handed relief pitcher Seth Johnson has been optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas.
Johnson was acquired by the Athletics from the Philadelphia Phillies for outfielder Colby Thomas at the trade deadline. In his time with the A's, the righty has totaled 4 ⅔ innings in five appearances and holds a 13.50 ERA with a 2.79 WHIP. His stuff grades have remained good, but he's been finding too much of the plate, allowing 10 hits, and not enough, giving up three walks.
Some refinement could make him a very effective relief pitcher for the club in the near future. It wouldn't be surprising to see him back with the A's before the end of the season if he finds a little rhythm in Las Vegas. The main objective for this team is to find pieces it can use in 2027.
With Mason Barnett being optioned on Tuesday, Springs will take his spot in the rotation, while righty Taylor Rashi — called up to replace Barnett on the roster — will take over Johnson's spot in the bullpen.
For Springs, he landed on the IL on August 4 with right hip discomfort and made his lone rehab appearance on Friday, August 14 with the Stockton Ports. He ended up throwing 59 pitches (41 strikes), lasting three innings and giving up five hits and three runs (one earned), striking out four and walking one.
The key for Springs the rest of the way will be going at least five innings. Giving the A's a chance to win games in which he starts would be a nice bonus, but the rest of this season is about development for the team, and getting a look at how the bullpen can function when the starters aren't making them eat extra innings one night and then getting shipped out for a fresh arm the next.
Springs also has a club option for next season worth $15 million with a $750,000 buyout. Given his 6.17 ERA this season, it would appear unlikely that the A's would pick up that option. Instead, they could move that money around to a couple of relief options or a different rotation candidate.
Last season the lefty held a 4.11 ERA across 171 innings and was a key veteran for the club. This year he has been dealing with nagging injuries that have hurt his performance on the mound. These final six weeks will likely serve as an audition for other teams around the league ahead of the offseason.
