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Athletics news: A's claim off waivers Joe Rock from White Sox
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- Athletics news: A's claim off waivers Joe Rock from White Sox
Athletics news: A's claim off waivers Joe Rock from White Sox appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
The Athletics on Sunday claimed left-handed pitcher Joe Rock off waivers from the Chicago White Sox and immediately optioned him to Triple-A Las Vegas. The move required a corresponding 40-man roster adjustment, with right-hander Justin Sterner transferred to the 60-day injured list.
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Rock, 26, spent only three months with the Chicago after the White Sox acquired him from the Tampa Bay Rays in May in exchange for infielder Oliver Dunn . Chicago designated Rock for assignment two days before the Athletics claimed him. During his short major league stint with the White Sox, Rock appeared in four games from June 13-24, covering 10 1/3 innings. He surrendered four earned runs while recording 12 strikeouts, but he also issued 11 walks, hit two batters and threw a wild pitch.
Those control problems have been a major issue for Rock throughout the 2026 season. His 3.48 ERA in the majors came alongside a 5.65 SIERA and a 6.84 expected ERA. At Triple-A, he has produced a 6.89 ERA across 32 2/3 innings while walking 18.1% of the 171 batters he faced. He also hit six batters in the minors, meaning 21.6% of opposing hitters reached base through either a walk or hit-by-pitch.
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Rock has nevertheless shown some encouraging traits. His Triple-A work includes a 28.1% strikeout rate and a 50.6% ground-ball rate. Opponents have also hit .407 on balls in play against him. Before this season, Rock compiled a 4.79 ERA, 23.1% strikeout rate and 7.5% walk rate over 329 minor league innings from 2023 through 2025. He was moved into a primary relief role this year, although he remains optionable for the rest of 2026 and has another option year remaining.
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For the Athletics, Rock provides a depth option at Triple-A. Their major league bullpen ranks 19th in MLB with a 21.6% strikeout rate and 28th with a 38.4% ground-ball rate, areas in which Rock has produced better minor league numbers. His ability to become a longer-term option will depend heavily on improving his control.
Sterner's transfer to the 60-day IL follows season-ending right knee surgery. He finishes 2026 with an ERA above 6.00 and 2.32 home runs allowed per nine innings after giving up 13 earned runs over his final 7 1/3 innings.
Related: Athletics' Luis Severino gets potentially season-ending injury update
