Elephant Rumblings: More bullpen shuffling

MLB news roundup

Happy Tuesday Athletics Nation!

We heard yesterday evening that the club was preparing to shuffle the bullpen up prior to today’s series opener against the Seattle Mariners. Namely, the club optioned rookie lefty Brady Basso while not immediately announcing a corresponding roster move. Basso returns to Vegas after making his big league debut and making two appearances for the Athletics. We will see him again, probably sooner than later.

There was some speculation about who would be taking Basso’s roster spot, and naturally the first thought was that the club was preparing to activate fellow left-hander Sean Newcomb off the IL. The former starter turned reliever has been on the shelf all season due to left knee inflammation but has made four rehab appearances so naturally he was a logical first thought. That will not be the case however as there will reportedly be a different arm joining the roster.

That pitcher to replace Basso will reportedly be right-handed reliever Vinny Nittoli:

The 31-year old Nittoli isn’t a spring chicken anymore. He only has 6 ²⁄₃ innings under his belt since making his MLB debut with the Mariners back in 2021 and has already pitched for three separate teams. That means Oakland will be his fourth team in four years when he takes the mound for the club. That constant movement isn’t because he’s been ineffective. In fact, he’s been having his best season yet for the Aviators here in 2024. In 20 relief appearances Nittoli is sporting a 2.70 ERA in the hitter friendly environment, and he’s sporting an impressive 36/11 K/BB ratio. The loss of setup man Lucas Erceg isn’t going to be an easy thing for the club to overcome but if Nittoli can keep up that type of pitching then that’ll help ease the loss of Erceg. We’ll be finding out soon enough!

A’s Coverage:

• Athletics aim to show further improvement against Mariners
• A’s return home, look to get back on track
• A’s reportedly promoting Vinny Nittoli
• 3 Things we’ve learned about the A’s at the 30% mark
• What economic experts predict for A’s pending Las Vegas move
• Oakland Ballers bet they could renovate Raimondi Park before their season. Now they’re set for a sold out debut

MLB News & Interest:

• Giants place Blake Snell back in IL
• Dodgers’ Max Muncy shut down after suffering setback
• Tommy John reportedly expected for Astros’ Jose Urquidy
• Astros’ Kyle Tucker exits after fouling ball off shin
• Brewers send Robert Gasser for evaluation with elbow soreness
• Source: Padres’ Tucupita Marcano faces lifetime ban for betting
• Mariners adding ex-Nationals outfielder Victor Robles
• Orioles calling up stud prospect Connor Norby
• Today in Baseball History

Best of X:

A promotion to the last stop of the minor league ladder:

Always good to add more talent to the org: