Mark Kotsay told reporters this morning ahead of the Bay Bridge game in Oakland that rotation hopeful Drew Rucinski would open the season on the injured list. The 34-year-old right-hander has been dealing with some hamstring tightness and his status for Opening Day was put into question earlier this week.
Rucinski made three appearances for the A's this spring, and got progressively better each time out. In his first start he was working with A's top prospect Tyler Soderstrom behind the dish, while learning the new pitch clock rules and using PitchCom for the first time, and he got himself into some trouble. He finished spring with 10.1 innings and posted a 6.97 ERA in limited action. He also threw two games in minor league camp.
Rucinski signed with the A's out of the KBO, where he'd made at least 30 starts in each of his four seasons. The hope is that he'll be a Cole Irvin type, taking his turn every fifth day while providing solid results, once he returns from this initial injury.
With Rucinski sidelined to start the season, Adam Oller and JP Sears appear to be the two options the A's have to choose between to start the season in the rotation. Sears has been penciled into the bullpen since the A.J. Puk trade opened up a need for another lefty, but the A's had Oller at a 50 pitch limit in his last outing and he was unable to pitch in Saturday's game after experiencing vertigo symptoms. He is reportedly feeling better, but still may not be stretched out enough.
The A's also made the Jeurys Familia signing official on Sunday. Per the team, it's a one-year deal. To clear a spot for him on the 40-man roster, Kirby Snead was placed on the 60-day IL with a strained left shoulder.
Finally, Nick Allen will be in a platoon at shortstop with newcomer Aledmys Díaz. Allen will take on southpaws, with Díaz handling the righties. I wrote about this scenario a couple of weeks ago, along with how it would look and why the A's would be considering it. Hint: Allen rakes against left-handers.
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