A's manager Mark Kotsay told reporters in Arizona that Sean Newcomb and Freddy Tarnok are both a little behind schedule at the start of camp. Newcomb underwent surgery on each of his knees in recent months, and Tarnok had hip surgery that ended his 2023 campaign.
"At this point, I'd say slightly behind" Kotsay said of Newcomb. "It shouldn't impact him. We may slow him at the beginning, but he's one guy obviously [that] would be on a slower program."
As for Tarnok, the A's skipper said, "he's done great since his surgery. Rehab went well. He's right on schedule for the most part, but he's another guy that you won't see out of the gate in game activity."
Newcomb pitched in seven games with the A's last season, holding a 1-1 record with a 3.00 ERA in 15 innings. In his first three appearances out of the bullpen, which spanned 4 2/3 innings, he didn't allow a hit and walked three while striking out eight. His last two appearances came as a starter, with his final appearance leading to four runs on five hits across three innings. He'd entered that game with a sub-1.00 ERA.
The plan for the A's is to use Newcomb in relief in 2024.
Tarnok, who was acquired as part of the Sean Murphy trade, was used mostly as a long relief option for the club last year. He made five appearances while dealing with injuries all season, and held a 4.91 ERA in 14 2/3 innings, striking out 14 and walking 11. With the additions of Alex Wood and Ross Stripling to the roster, Tarnok's likelihood of making the team as a member of the rotation are slim.
Still just 25, the right-hander will likely begin the year in Triple-A and be on a short list of options that can take over in either the rotation or the bullpen if the need should arise. In his final appearance of the season against the Texas Rangers in August, he pitched four shutout innings, giving up just two hits and two walks while striking out four. It was the best outing of his young career. A few days later he was placed on the IL and missed the rest of the season.
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