Tyler

Ferguson

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.

Ferguson has been awful in 2025 after being so reliable the previous season, but the 31-year-old will get a chance to help the middle of the A’s bullpen for (potentially) the final two months of the year.

Ferguson, one of Oakland’s best relievers last year, had a 6.69 ERA and a 33/22 K/BB in 35 innings this season. He’d given up 15 earned runs in 8 2/3 innings this month.

Mason Miller was unavailable after blowing a save on Saturday night, so the A’s went to Ferguson, who has allowed just one run on seven hits in 16 1/3 innings this season. Ferguson didn’t allow a single baserunner in the effort, but Miller is the locked-in closer for the Athletics.

Miller hasn’t allowed a hit or a run in seven innings coming off the injured list on Aug. 7. His ERA is back down to 1.89 for the year. Both he and Tyler Ferguson were pitching for a second straight day tonight, and Miller certainly won’t be used on Tuesday. Perhaps Ferguson could pitch for a third straight day, since he’s thrown a total of 17 pitches over the two days. If so, he’d be the favorite to get a save opportunity.

Miller wound up missing 16 days with a broken finger on his left hand. He should go right back into the closer’s role for Oakland, making Tyler Ferguson droppable in all formats.

Miller’s 15 days are up Wednesday, and it sounds like he’ll be activated then, even though his broken left pinkie finger isn’t fully healed yet. Tyler Ferguson will be droppable in fantasy leagues when Miller returns.

Ferguson was summoned to protect a two-run lead in the final frame and needed just seven pitches (seven strikes) to set down the Angels. The unheralded 30-year-old rookie has reeled off seven consecutive scoreless appearances since July 13 and appears primed for a high-leverage role in Oakland the rest of the way. There won’t be a ton of save chances for him, but he’s looked extremely sharp since the All-Star break.

We figured Lucas Erceg would be the favorite for saves with Mason Miller sidelined, but the A’s used him against the second, third and fourth hitters in the Angels lineup in the eighth inning tonight. That left the bottom half the order for Ferguson in the ninth, and he got the job done with ease for his first save in 19 appearances this season. We’d still say that Erceg is the A’s reliever worth rostering with Miller out.

Ferguson returns to the big leagues ahead of Tuesday’s game against the Angels to fill a middle relief role in Oakland’s bullpen.