Mark Kotsay explains why Athletics pitcher J.T. Ginn isn't starting vs. Rangers
Athletics manager Mark Kotsay speaks to reporters before his team's game against the Texas Rangers on Tuesday at Globe Life Field.
Mark Kotsay explains why Athletics pitcher J.T. Ginn isn't starting vs. Rangers originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
Video Transcript
Just with the, obviously the switch to the bullpen day-to-day, with Giolito, is there, any sense of when you're looking to get him back on the mound yet, or is that still kind of something you're working through?
Yeah, I mean, I think I'll know better, tomorrow.
He's gonna- he's gonna throw a side.
Yesterday he, he played catch.
It felt a lot better, than anticipated, which is a great sign.
So, you know, again, we're talking about a young man that's, hasn't made this many consecutive starts in his career.
He's passed the amount of innings he pitched last year, so, you know, we're obviously going to be, cognizant of that and take that, you know, as a priority in the way he feels.
So, the anticipation would be at some point this weekend, if the side goes well tomorrow, that we'll reinsert him and, and make sure that he's ready to go when we do that.
I'm guessing with the rosters expanding and Tuivailala adding to the bullpen, that kind of helps for a day like today with when you're playing and just use all relievers.
Yeah, I mean obviously it's, it's a bonus to get an extra arm.
You know, Roy Croft picked us up big time last night with, with the two plus innings he threw and, you know, I think, you know, anytime you're going to do a bullpen game, it's, it's definitely stressful.
You know, because you have to be aware of, you know, our schedule in terms of not having an off day until next Wednesday.
So, you know, you want to manage it to where you still can, you know, win a game and, and, and be prepared for tomorrow and, and the next.
So, these, these games always are a little more, stressful.
We talked yesterday about a rough couple months.
With September starting, how much do you look forward to just a, a new month to kind of finish maybe with a better record than you guys have shown, the previous couple months?
Yeah, I mean, that's the goal.
There's no doubt about it.
You know, we've gotta find win- ways to win ballgames.
You know, we, have had our challenges for sure, and, guys are here in, in filling roles and given that opportunity, that need to step up.
And, both offensively and, and on the mound, obviously we've pitched better.
You know, offensively we've had games where we've produced runs.
You know, so, overall, the goal is, you know, is to, to be better than we have been and, continue to focus on just each day and, and trying to win a game today.
What can you say about Lawrence Butler and the uptick that he's had in August, especially with the loss of Kurtz and Wilson for the season?
Yeah, I think for Lawrence, he's definitely, been one of our top performers, throughout August and, and, and some of July.
July too.
Made some adjustments at the plate mechanically with our hitting coach.
I think he's continuing to see results, which obviously is great.
And, and he's been a guy, like you said, that, that's provided some leadership as well, which, you know, is great- is a great sign of growth.
He almost halved his home runs in the month of August for the season total.
When he's on, like, what kind of a dominant force is he at the plate?
Yeah, I, I think, you know, he plays with a lot of emotion and there's a high level of confidence, with Lawrence right now.
He can be a threat for sure, because he can drive the baseball any part of the field and hit a home run.
And that, that in itself creates, you know, s- a presence in the lineup.
A couple of, notable promotions with Devin Taylor and Jamie Arnold to Triple-A.
Just your thoughts on them kind of getting a chance to move up a level here in the final month.
Yeah, let's talk Taylor first.
I mean, this kid's been very impressive, you know, first full season of pro ball.
You know, he, he's earned these promotions with performance and, he's continued to impress and he's given an opportunity now to go to Triple-A, accelerate that learning curve.
You know, each level, there's generally an adjustment period, but when he got to Double-A, he, there was not much of an adjustment period and he, he really performed.
So, exciting to have a young player like that, in his first full season have this type of success.
You know, and, and he'll be a great addition to that Vegas roster, for them going to the playoffs.
He's gonna get that experience as well.
As far as Arnold goes, you know, he had his learning curve, in Double-A and, I think the growth that he showed and the success he's had over the last six weeks has been great.
You know, we're gonna challenge him now to, to go to Triple-A in a ballpark that we know is an offensive ballpark.
And, and, and the league in itself is, is an offensive league, to go, go perform.
You know, and there's, again, there's going to be a learning curve for him, at that level, but, we felt it was the right timing to, to promote him and, and give him this next challenge.
