A's Pitching Rotation Adjustments
A's Manager Kotsay Explores Pitching Options After Severino Injury, Other Key Players Sidelined
The Oakland Athletics lost another starting pitcher when Luis Severino was placed on the 15-day injured list with a strained right shoulder, forcing manager Mark Kotsay to rebuild his rotation on the fly. MLB.com reported Severino exited his May 29 start against the Yankees after just one inning and 23 pitches. He faces a 4–6 week re-evaluation timeline, per MLB Trade Rumors.
The A's entered June with a 28–31 record and a team ERA of 4.48, ranked 22nd in MLB, per StatMuse. Now, with Aaron Civale also sidelined with rotator cuff tendinitis, Oakland is piecing together a rotation from scratch.
Two Rookies Called Up to Fill Rotation Void
On June 2, the A's made sweeping roster moves. They selected the contract of right-hander Kade Morris for his MLB debut and recalled Mason Barnett from Triple-A Las Vegas, according to MLB.com. Both moves were made to add length to a rotation that was suddenly short-handed.
Morris, the team's No. 12 prospect, was acquired from the Mets in the 2024 Paul Blackburn trade. He posted a 4.45 ERA with 49 strikeouts in 60.2 innings at Triple-A, per MiLB.com. Kotsay said the pair "will provide some length right now," according to the Sacramento Bee.
Roster Cleared Out as Kriske Moved to 60-Day IL
To make room, the A's optioned Jacob Lopez and Michael Kelly back to Triple-A. Lopez had allowed seven earned runs in two innings against the Yankees on May 31, per Yardbarker. Reliever Brooks Kriske was transferred to the 60-day injured list with a shoulder impingement to open a spot on the 40-man roster for Morris.
The moves reflected a rotation in crisis. Gage Jump, a 41st-ranked overall prospect, had already been called up on May 26 to replace Civale, per MLB Trade Rumors. The A's rotation now leans heavily on young, unproven arms. Kotsay admitted, "We've worn the bullpen down a little bit," according to the Las Vegas Sun.
Severino Knew Something Was Seriously Wrong
Severino, who signed a 3-year, $67 million deal in 2025, is diagnosed with a strain of the shoulder capsule and subscapularis muscle. He told reporters, "I felt like if I kept throwing, something even worse was going to happen. That's why I stopped," according to TSN.
His numbers in 2026 told a complicated story. He went 2–6 with a 4.16 ERA in 12 starts, per Field Level Media. A home-and-away split made it worse: he posted a 5.33 ERA at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento versus a 3.38 ERA on the road, per MLB Trade Rumors.
Jacob Wilson Nearing Return as Playoff Hopes Hang On
There is some good news. All-Star shortstop Jacob Wilson, who signed a 7-year, $70 million extension in January 2026, is close to returning from a left shoulder subluxation. Kotsay confirmed Wilson is with the team in Chicago and could begin a minor league rehab assignment this weekend, per WKYC.
Despite sitting 2.5 games back in the AL West, the A's still have a 29.2% playoff chance, per FanGraphs. If they stay close by July, analysts expect GM David Forst to pursue a starter before the trade deadline. The rotation, for now, belongs to the prospects.
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