Elephant Rumblings: Muller on IL, Medina close to return, and a new Miller pitch?

MLB news roundup

Happy Thursday Athletics Nation!

Yesterday the Athletics lost the middle game of their series against the Rays. Another win that slipped through the team’s fingers as the Rays walked-off against the bullpen to tie the series. Thankfully the team still has a chance to win the set against Tampa Bay with a win this morning.

Closer Mason Miller is already establishing himself as one of baseball’s premier closers with his breakout performance this season. His fastball runs into the triple digits and strikes fear into the hearts of opposing batters. Now, what if he added another pitch? That’s just what Miller is experimenting with right now. You be the judge of the early results:

Add that in with his heater and Miller could become unhittable. Let’s just hope that arm holds up with all this gas.

Off the field, the club announced that they’ve placed left-hander Kyle Muller on the 15-day IL with shoulder tendinitis:

Another disappointing development for the young lefty. Last year’s Opening Day starter, Muller was one of the main return pieces for Sean Murphy and with that came high expectations. Things started off well for Muller in Oakland as the lefty earned the 2023 Opening Day nod and pitched well in that season debut, dueling superstar Shohei Ohtani for five innings. The team went on to win that one but that was the high point for Muller. Since then it’s been an up and down experiment that has seen the team continually lower expectations for someone the team felt they could build around.

This year the starting rotation hasn’t even been an option for Muller. He’s pitched in 13 games, all in relief. It’s been a bit better for him so far as he’s sporting a 3.48 ERA over 33 ²⁄₃ innings. The strikeouts are pretty low at 24 so far but he’s never going to be a strikeout artist. The team’s pitching staff takes yet another hit anyway as the club will now need to find a suitable replacement for Muller in the meantime.

On the prospect side of things, the club got some welcome news in the rehab department. Right-handed sophomore Luis Medina is crushing his tune up, touching triple digits himself in what could have been his final rehab appearance. We got this welcome bit of news regarding Medina’s travel plans:

He can’t rejoin the team soon enough. Everyone knows the pitching staff is going through it right now with injuries but getting someone back would be a welcomed change of pace. Medina suffered a knee injury in spring and hasn’t pitched for the big league club this year but it seems that season debut is just around the corner for the young gun. Now let’s see if Medina can step it up in his second season as a big leaguer.

Enjoy your day everyone! The weekend is right around the corner.

A’s Coverage:

• A’s lose 4-3 on walk-off single
• Athletics Prospects: Luis Morales spins a gem
• Mason Miller toying with new pitch
• A’s place Kyle Muller on IL, recall Hogan Harris
• Atlanta Braves believed to be considering A’s slugger

MLB News & Interest:

• Mets place star closet Diaz on IL with shoulder impingement
• Rockies not planning to trade star third baseman Ryan McMahon
• Braves sign former Athletics outfielder Ramon Laureano
• Mets DFA reliever Jorge Lopez for assignment following glove-throwing incident
• Benches clear in Phillies-Giants after Harper almost hit twice
• Blue Jays starter Alek Manoah departs with elbow discomfort
• MLB integrates Negro League stats into official record book
• Today in Baseball History

Best of X:

Boyle on his rehab assignment:

And he looked good:

Lucky: