Tyler

Ferguson

The 32-year-old right-hander was just recalled on Tuesday, but he’ll head back to Triple-A with Trent Thornton returning from the paternity list. Ferguson posted a 16.88 ERA, 2.63 WHIP and a 4/2 K/BB ratio over 2 2/3 innings with the Cubs.

Ferguson returns to the majors with Trent Thornton away from the team for a couple days on paternity leave. The 32-year-old was up with the Cubs last week but didn’t end up making an appearance before being sent back down.

He had only been acquired from the A’s in early May and was only active in the majors for a brief spell here. Ferguson allowed four earned runs in his only appearance in the bigs this year with the Athletics, and has a combined 5.12 ERA in 19 1/3 innings with Triple-A Las Vegas and Iowa, though it has been lower in Iowa at 3.52.

Ferguson receives his first opportunity with Chicago after being acquired in a trade with the Athletics back on May 7. The 32-year-old will operate in middle relief situations after compiling a serviceable 4.47 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 117/58 K/BB ratio across 110 2/3 innings over 105 appearances in the big leagues since 2024.

The A’s had designated the 32-year-old hurler for assignment on Wednesday, so they were willing to move him for anything that they could get at this stage. Ferguson has given up four runs on four hits in just 1 1/3 innings at the big league level this season.

The procedural move opens up a spot on the Athletics’ 40-man roster for recently promoted journeyman reliever Brooks Kriske. The 32-year-old reliever has made 105 appearances in the big leagues over the last three years, posting a respectable 4.47 ERA and 117/58 K/BB ratio across 110 2/3 innings during that span.

Ferguson has allowed four runs on four hits in 1 1/3 innings this year for the Athletics. He will likely get another shot later this summer.

The 32-year-old right-hander has been knocked around in his first 10 appearances at Triple-A Las Vegas to the tune of a 6.17 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and an 8/6 K/BB ratio over 11 2/3 innings. He’ll add a fresh arm to the middle of the A’s bullpen.

It’ll be veteran Jeff McNeil opening the season as the Athletics’ starting second baseman with Andy Ibáñez occupying a versatile bench role. Gelof endured an injury-shortened campaign last year and continues to be plagued by contact issues. There’s enough power/speed combo upside to keep him relevant in deeper fantasy leagues but he needs to scale back the strikeouts to be impactful again.

Ferguson was given the difficult task of holding onto a lead with the ghost runner on second base in extra innings and got the job done. He is the third different Athletics’ reliever to save a game in as many chances, plainly telling us that this is a pure closer-by-committee.