Yusmeiro

Petit

Petit exercised an opt-out clause in his minor league contract. He was signed by the Padres in May and registered an inflated 7.72 ERA and 12/4 K/BB ratio over 11 2/3 innings with Triple-A El Paso. Petit’s previous success suggests he could still be a useful reliever for someone, but he’s now 37 years old.

The 37-year-old hurler is a favorite of Padres skipper Bob Melvin, after pitching for him with the Athletics from 2018-2021. He went 8-3 with a 3.92 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and a 37/12 K/BB ratio over 78 innings during the 2021 campaign. It wouldn’t be surprising to see him join the Padres bullpen in a couple of weeks.

Petit allowed his run on a solo shot to Jared Walsh, but it came with the Athletics holding a 6-3 lead, so it was (relatively) inconsequential. It’s the second save of the year for the right-hander, and while he’s pitched effectively as seen in a 3.18 ERA, it’s unlikely he sees many more save chances in 2021.

With Lou Trivino and Jake Diekman presumably unavailable after some heavy usage recently, Petit was called upon to protect a three-run lead in the ninth inning, and needed only 17 pitches (10 strikes) to retire the side in order. The 36-year-old innings-eater remains a durable workhorse for the Athletics’ bullpen, but he doesn’t offer much appeal for fantasy managers outside of AL-only formats.

The deal was first reported last week and has now been made official. Petit could potentially make an even $3 million if he hits his incentives. The versatile reliever should be a key cog in the Athletics’ bullpen again in 2021.

The deal is pending a physical, says Rosenthal. Steve Adams of MLB Trade Rumors notes that the 36-year-old will get $2.55 million in salary with a chance to make $3 million total with incentives included. Petit has spent the last three years with the Athletics, and the right-hander has been effective with a 2.73 ERA over 180 games, including a 1.56 ERA in 26 games last year. The rubber-armed reliever will again be an option in the middle innings for the A’s in 2021.

Sanchez, pitching for Portland, gave up two runs and four hits in 6 2/3 innings and struck out nine. Petit, who missed some time with a sore shoulder, is 7-3 with a 3.28 ERA, 84 H and 107/17 K/BB in 101 2/3 IP in the Eastern League.

It was closer last time. This time, Sanchez allowed four runs -- three earned -- in 6 1/3 innings. Petit is 9-3 with a 2.91 ERA.

Petit will be back for a third year with the A’s after throwing 83 innings with a 2.71 ERA last season. He was used largely as a setup man and got 29 holds last season, but the team would prefer to use him more in the middle innings if things go according to plan.

Petit traveled home to his native Venezuela on Thursday following the death of his father. He struck out two of the four batters he faced in the eighth inning Sunday as Oakland went on to beat Detroit by a score of 3-1.