Oakland Athletics manager Mark Kotsay is actively reshaping the team’s starting rotation this week in Chicago after veteran right-hander Luis Severino was sidelined with a strained right shoulder. The roster shakeup, announced ahead of Tuesday’s game against the Chicago Cubs, underscores a mounting injury crisis that has forced the organization to accelerate the development of its top pitching prospects.
The Current Roster Flux
The Athletics organization moved quickly to address the pitching void by promoting right-handers Kade Morris and Mason Barnett from Triple-A Las Vegas. To facilitate these additions, the team optioned Michael Kelly and Jacob Lopez to the minors, while placing right-hander Brooks Kriske on the 60-day injured list.
Kotsay emphasized the necessity of these moves, noting that the team’s relief corps has been overextended.
