Joey

Estes

Estes made his 2026 debut against the Rockies on Saturday, giving up four runs over 4 1/3 innings of work. With Aaron Civale set to return from the injured list this week though, he became expendable. Brady Basso was recalled from Triple-A in a corresponding move to add a fresh arm to the Athletics’ bullpen.

Estes got the start tonight in his first appearance since being recalled Tuesday and managed to sort of outpitch Kyle Freeland in what turned into a win for the A’s. Estes didn’t qualify for the win, of course, so he’s still 7-12 with a 5.59 ERA as a major leaguer. With Aaron Civale expected back on Wednesday, Estes might be in line to return to Triple-A.

Estes gets the call to fortify the club’s bullpen after Monday’s slugfest in Las Vegas. The 24-year-old has made 30 appearances in the big leagues for the Athletics since 2023. He’ll likely operate in long relief for now.

Estes will kick off the regular season back at Triple-A as auxiliary rotation depth. The 24-year-old righty made three appearances (two starts) for the Athletics last year, posting a sky-high 9.82 ERA over 11 innings of work.

Estes was called up last Friday and tossed four scoreless frames in his lone relief appearance on Sunday against the Mariners. There isn’t much time for him to make it back before the year wraps up, which means his season highlight is probably going to be his prominent involvement earlier this month in the Victor Robles bat-tossing incident at the Triple-A level.

It’s unclear if the 23-year-old hurler will take the rotation spot vacated by the injury to Jack Perkins (shoulder) or if he’ll simply add length to the bullpen for a few days while they figure out how to handle that opening. Estes has continued to struggle since his demotion to Triple-A in early April, registering a 5.51 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and a 67/20 K/BB ratio across 80 innings in 17 appearances (15 starts).

Estes heads back to the minors after getting lit up for six runs over three innings on Sunday in a loss to the Rockies. The 23-year-old served up three homers back on April 1 in his season debut against the Cubs and carries a 15.43 ERA in two starts. Estes had a 7.56 ERA in five spring training starts. He’ll get some time back at the Triple-A level to iron things out before getting another look in the majors.

Estes also issued a pair of walks while striking out three on the afternoon. Brenton Doyle did the bulk of the damage against him with a solo homer in the opening inning and a two-run double as part of a three-run uprising in the second. The 23-year-old hurler got six swings and misses on 61 pitches, posting an underwhelming CSW of only 18 percent. Estes will try to pick up the pieces and improve upon his cringe-inducing 15.43 ERA and 3.00 WHIP when he takes on the Mets in West Sacramento on Saturday.

Estes allowed nine hits, four walks and three homers. None of that is ideal. All of that, in fact, is bad. Estes struggled to end the 2024 season, and his extreme flyball rates aren’t likely to play well in a Triple-A park. His next outing is in Colorado on Sunday. Hard pass.

Springs will make his Athletics debut following Opening Day starter Luis Severino. Osvaldo Bido and JP Sears will toe the rubber for the final two games of the Athletics’ season-opening series in Seattle before Joey Estes kicks off a three-game set against the Cubs.