J.T.

Ginn

Ginn surrendered five hits and plunked two batters. This probably brings an end to the Athletics’ rotation competition, with Jacob Lopez essentially assured a spot. Ginn did pretty well in posting a 4.39 ERA after the break last year, but with his spring ERA up to 9.45, he’s due to get some additional Triple-A time.

The 26-year-old hurler also issued three free passes while striking out three opposing hitters in the ballgame. Ginn entered the start already facing an uphill battle at securing a spot in the A’s Opening Day rotation and he didn’t help his cause in this one. All of the damage was done during the second inning as Willie MacIver delivered a bases-clearing double and then came around to score. Ginn got just four whiffs on 61 pitches on the afternoon, posting a CSW of 26 percent. For the spring, he holds an uninspiring 6.17 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and a 12/7 K/BB ratio over 11 2/3 innings in his four starts.

He also labels Luis Morales a “rotation lock,” with J.T. Ginn and Jack Perkins as longshot contenders for the fifth starter role. Lopez had a 4.08 ERA and a 113/37 K/BB ratio across 92 2/3 innings in 2025 and could be a streamable pitcher in the right matchups in 2026.

Ginn gave up seven hard-hit balls, two of which turned into homers, and he also walked a pair. It’s a setback for his rotation hopes as he competes with Luis Morales and others.

With Luis Morales stumbling out of the gate, Ginn’s chances of making the A’s rotation are increasing. He’s pitched five scoreless innings to date, allowing only one hit in the process.

Ginn appears to be on the outside looking in when it comes to the Athletics’ season-opening rotation, barring an unexpected development. He could potentially make the club’s Opening Day roster as a versatile swingman but that diminished role wouldn’t make him fantasy-relevant outside of AL-only formats.

Ginn also issued three free passes on the night while punching out two. The Astros took out their frustration on the A’s right-hander early in this one, scratching out two runs in the opening inning and three more in the second to take an early 5-0 edge. After a scoreless third inning, they added another pair while chasing Ginn in the fourth — all without the benefit of a home run. The 26-year-old hurler got 13 whiffs on 81 pitches on the day, posting a CSW of 23 percent. He concludes the 2025 campaign with a 4-7 record, 5.08 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and a 99/31 K/BB ratio across 90 1/3 innings in 23 appearances (16 starts).

Ginn had just three strikeouts, but his slider was excellent today; he threw the pitch 37 times for 10 whiffs and a 46% CSW, and the hardest it was hit on four balls in play was 94.5 mph, though that one did produce a groundball double. Ginn improved to 4-6 with a 4.57 ERA as he tries to put himself in strong position to make the 2026 rotation. He’ll face the Astros in his probable season finale.

Ginn gets no-decision because he doesn’t go the necessary five innings, but he pitched well enough to “deserve” one. The former Mets prospect had issues with consistent strikes as seen in four walks, but he struck out six and held the Cincinnati lineup to just two hits. Ginn has a chance to be a solid backend starter, but it’s hard to trust him as a fantasy option for these final few weeks. He gets the Red Sox on Thursday.

Ginn received a touchdown’s worth of run support by the time he stepped onto the mound at the outset of the third inning, which enabled him to fill up the strike zone and complete five strong frames for his third win of the year. He piled up five strikeouts and didn’t hand out a free pass. The 26-year-old rookie will face the Reds on Friday in his next outing.