MESA, Ariz. — Drew Rucinski’s feel-good journey, on the verge of reaching its excessive level following his return to Main League Baseball with the Oakland A’s after 4 years in Korea, might be delayed to begin the season.
A’s supervisor Mark Kotsay stated earlier this week the 34-year-old right-hander would miss his subsequent begin resulting from left hamstring tightness, making his standing for Opening Day unsure. Kotsay was considerably optimistic about Rucinski’s damage on Thursday.
“It’s hamstring tightness and we’re going to permit this factor to play itself out,” Kotsay stated. “We’re hopeful that it's resolved previous to Opening Day.”
Rucinski, who was signed to a one-year contract over the offseason, was seen as one of many few locks to make Oakland’s rotation after logging 732.2 innings as a starter with the NC Dinos of the KBO from 2019-2022. He posted a 3.06 earned run common over his 121 begins throughout that span.
After struggling in his preliminary stint within the huge leagues from 2014-18 as a reliever with the Los Angeles Angels, Minnesota Twins and Miami Marlins, Rucinski entered spring coaching excited to make his return to the majors.
“It’s fairly wild, man,” Rucinski stated. “You go over there and also you all the time hope to come back again right here, that’s the purpose. I believe in the event you don’t have that purpose you’re within the incorrect mindset. So simply to have it work out and be right here now, on this locker room, it’s unbelievable. I’m attempting to benefit from each alternative I’m given.”
His final official look in an MLB sport was with Miami in September of 2018 in opposition to the Mets, a day he vaguely remembers, however has by no means forgotten.
Although his hamstring damage might push again his long-awaited first MLB look in 5 years, Rucinski will nearly definitely return with an opportunity to assist the A’s youthful rotation.
“We’re excited to have him,” Kotsay stated earlier this month. “All the pieces we’ve heard, he’s a competitor, he had some extent in his profession the place he transitioned to go to Korea, go abroad and make some cash, which you'll’t blame somebody for that chance. He pitched effectively over there, the numbers type of symbolize that.
“One other enjoyable addition to this workers and we’ll get to look at him and watch how he goes about his enterprise and performs.”
In 10.1 innings this spring, Rucinski hasn’t been capable of replicate the constant success that was prevalent throughout his time within the KBO. He’s struggled, permitting eight runs and 14 hits throughout three begins.
However Rucinski’s lengthy street again to the majors continues to be validating, even when his second go on the majors hasn’t gotten off to the perfect begin. He’s grateful for the chance he has and the wild experience that led him to it.
“It’s simply baseball, man, you by no means know the place you’re going to finish up,” Rucinski stated. “It’s unbelievable the way it has come round, and simply to get the prospect right here, I’m enthusiastic about it.”
Rotation image to clear up by finish of Bay Bridge Collection
Even earlier than Rucinski’s hamstring damage, the A’s rotation has been largely unclear all through spring coaching.
Oakland is anticipated to call its Opening Day starter on Friday, however Kotsay stated any data relating to the remainder of the rotation, and any remaining roster spots normally, will seemingly be supplied after the workforce breaks camp and returns residence for 2 exhibition video games in opposition to the Giants on Sunday and Monday.
“I believe there will likely be much more readability and route,” Kotsay stated. “Clearly with the timelines that we’re left with, we do have two off days to govern the rotation. However I believe it’ll be extra clear as soon as issues are introduced (Friday).”
Kotsay stated he's comfy opening the season with a five-man rotation and adjusting with spot starters, if wanted, all year long. He famous Japanese right-hander Shintaro Fujinami, whom the A’s signed to a one-year, $3.25 million contract over the offseason, will keep on with his routine of pitching each sixth or seventh day.
However outdoors of that, there aren't any certainties relating to the A’s pitching workers.
James Kaprielian’s speedy development this spring following offseason shoulder surgical procedure to restore his AC joint will seemingly land him close to the highest of the rotation. All-Star right-hander Paul Blackburn has began to get well from a proper center fingernail avulsion he suffered earlier this spring and is nearing a return to the rotation.
“He threw a flat floor yesterday, it went effectively,” Kotsay stated of Blackburn. “He’s progressing properly. The nail is definitely coming in properly, there’s no indicators of an infection. I believe I'll have a greater concept of a plan going ahead with Paul.”
Blackburn returned and made his first begin earlier this spring in Las Vegas since tearing his flexor tendon sheath in the identical finger final August. He stated he felt loads higher mentally after coming off of such an damage and he believed he was on monitor to return for the beginning of the season.
“I do know lots of occasions you come again from damage and there’s type of that psychological block you get like, ‘Man I hope this doesn’t occur, I hope I don’t really feel it,’ ” Blackburn stated. “I by no means had that. I really feel like that’s a step in the proper route if you’re getting back from damage.”
Nonetheless, Blackburn isn’t anticipated to be obtainable by Opening Day, which opens up a chance for kids similar to Kyle Muller, Ken Waldichuk, JP Sears and Adam Oller, who has arguably been the A’s finest pitcher arm this spring, to earn a spot within the rotation.