Elephant Rumblings: A’s make first cuts of Spring Training

MLB news roundup

Happy Monday, Athletics Nation!

Despite all of the gloom and doom surrounding the A’s these days, the squad is having a pretty good Spring Training so far. They’ve fought their way to a 5-4 record in the Cactus League, but that doesn’t matter much. What does matter is that A’s pitchers—the starters in particular—have been impressive so far this spring. JP Sears reinforced the pattern yesterday with three fantastic shutout innings in which he fanned seven and allowed just one hit in the A’s victory over the Rangers.

Meanwhile, second baseman Zack Gelof just completed a relatively brief rookie campaign in 2023 and is already the biggest star on the team. He’s building on his rookie success this spring, as Martin Gallegos at MLB.com noted. Gelof doubled twice yesterday and is now leading all Cactus League hitters with five extra base hits. He’s slashing .389/.476/.889 through seven Spring Training games.

The A’s made their first cuts of the spring yesterday, optioning pitchers Osvaldo Bido, Hogan Harris, and Adrián Martínez to Triple-A while reassigning 13 others to Minor League Camp.

The moves pare the team’s camp roster down to 52 players, twice the number the A’s will have on their Opening Day roster.

Tryouts continue this week, with seven games on the A’s schedule including double headers on Friday and Saturday. Luis Medina is scheduled to start in today’s game against the Reds, which starts at 12:05 PM PST.

A’s Coverage:

• A’s beat Rangers 5-2
• As the Coliseum turns, A’s vs. fans drama creates questions. We have answers ($)
• Injuries & Moves: A’s make first round of cuts
• Gelof ‘right where he needs to be’ in hot spring start
• In 2016, I snagged a Vogt homer. In 2024, I asked him about it

MLB News & Interest:

• Giants’ Zaidi gets the W, but Melvin’s part in Chapman deal was critical ($)
• Diamondbacks Sign Elvis Andrus To Minors Contract
• Phillies Interested In Blake Snell On Short-Term Contract
• How Miguel Sanó lost 58 pounds, revived his career with Angels: ‘I needed to make a change’ ($)
• Ed Ott Passes Away
• Today in Baseball History

Best of X:

Big day for Sears, Brown, Gelof.

SELLers in effect at Hokoham.

Former teammates greet.