Brady

Basso

With Basso in Triple-A, it seems like the Athletics will carry only one left-handed pitcher in the bullpen, Hogan Harris. That also makes it less likely that Harris will get many save opportunities at the start of the season. Basso pitched just 11 2/3 MLB innings last season after recovering from an early-season shoulder injury.

Basso returns to the big leagues with Joey Estes hitting the injured list with a back ailment. The 27-year-old southpaw holds a pedestrian 4.03 ERA across 22 1/3 innings (seven appearances, four starts) this season at the highest level.

The 27-year-old southpaw has been sidelined since spring training due to a strained left shoulder. He has been on a minor league rehab assignment at Triple-A Las Vegas where he’ll continue to work now that he has been activated from the injured list. The plan is for Basso to continue working out of the bullpen for the remainder of the season and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him get a shot with the A’s before the year ends.

Although the lefty showed some potential as a starter last season, the A’s have decided to bring Basso back as a reliever for now. He’ll probably join the bullpen later this month, though he could be optioned out instead if he struggles on his rehab assignment.

The move frees up a spot on the Athletics’ 40-man roster. Basso was put on the injured list at the outset of the regular season with a left shoulder strain.

Basso was pushing for a spot in the Athletics’ bullpen before being shut down with a shoulder strain at the beginning of March. There is not yet a firm timeline for his return to the mound.

Basso made seven appearances (four starts) last year for the Athletics in his first taste of the majors. The 27-year-old southpaw’s absence represents a hit to the Athletics’ starting pitching depth, but he wasn’t expected to break camp in the big-league rotation.

Basso’s season with him giving up five runs in three innings versus the Rangers last night.

The Rangers got to Basso right away, with Wyatt Langford smashing a two-run homer in the first inning. A walk and two base hits brought one more run in to score in the opening frame. After a scoreless second, Adolis Garcia took him deep for a two-run shot to start the third. Basso would complete the inning and was done for the night. The 26-year-old right-hander has posted a 4.03 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, and a 19/5 K/BB ratio across 22 1/3 innings.

He struck out five. Basso, who opened with four scoreless frames, left with the A’s down 3-1, but the offense picked him up afterwards. The A’s could have him come back and make two starts next week, but it seems more likely that he’ll pitch just once against the Rangers on Tuesday or Wednesday.