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A's Reshape Bullpen Ahead of Marlins Series, Activate Leiter
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- A's Reshape Bullpen Ahead of Marlins Series, Activate Leiter
(Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images)
As we reported last night, the Athletics have reinstated Jose Suarez from the paternity list and designated left-hander Matt Krook for assignment . The team also announced on Friday afternoon that Mark Leiter Jr. is back on the 26-man roster. To make room for him, they have designated Geoff Hartlieb for assignment.
Krook and Hartlieb became the second and third relief pitchers the A's have DFA'd in the past week, joining Michael Kelly , who was designated on June 29.
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Both Krook and Hartlieb were out of minor-league options, and their removal from the 40-man roster opened up two spots for new additions — perhaps from the waiver wire or injured players on the 60-day IL returning. Both Luis Severino and Denzel Clarke are on the 60-day IL at the moment, though neither is expected back before the All Star break.
Leiter the Ignitor
While his 4.85 ERA on the season isn't pretty, Leiter was on a roll when he landed on the IL back on June 20 with a right hip impingement.
From May 12 through June 16, Leiter worked 14 innings and posted a 0.64 ERA, which was the 7th-best in baseball during that span among relievers to pitch at least 10 innings. Mason Miller was just ahead of him with a 0.56 ERA in 16 innings in that same span.
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With Leiter coming back, he'll likely be used in a larger role, if possible. The A's could still use someone to take control of the ninth inning. Whether that's Leiter, or he's part of the trusted bridge to get them to the ninth while holding the lead in the late innings — both options would be beneficial to the bullpen that has struggled to a cumulative 4.98 ERA, ranking 27th in MLB.
The A's pitching staff ranks last in MLB in home ERA with a 6.19, which certainly wasn't helped by six games at Las Vegas Ballpark. They've also been used quite often, racking up 404 innings of work this season, which ranks 8th.
Leiter, on the other hand, has excelled at home , posting a 2.57 ERA across 14 innings while holding a 6.89 ERA in 15 ⅔ innings on the road. Perhaps this is a situation where he's the closer at home, and the team searches for another option in road contests.
Hartlieb was selected from Triple-A when Leiter went on the IL and compiled a 5.19 ERA in four relief appearances in his brief time with the A's. He allowed five runs on 11 hits with three walks and three strikeouts in 8 ⅔ innings.
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