Oakland Athletics Roundup: Sean Manaea Dealing With Injury; Jesse Hahn Struggles

A’s Announce Bay Bridge Series Roster; Jesse Hahn Roughed Up vs. Tribe
Oakland Athletics Roundup – Tuesday, March 29

The latest Oakland Athletics tidbits:

• According to CSN’S Joe Stiglitch, everyone currently in big league camp will head north with the Athletics for the Bay Bridge Series prior to the start of the regular season – excluding left-hander Sean Manaea, who is suffering from a groin strain. Stiglitch also reported that Manaea threw a side session on Monday, which signals that his injury isn’t too severe. Given his status as a potential mid-season rotation candidate, the A’s are probably just protecting him.

• This roster news means prospect Matt Chapman will be sticking with the team for the final few days before the regular season – an unsurprising development, given how impressive he’s been. It’s still hard to imagine that Chapman will receive any significant time with the team in 2016, given that he spent last year at High-A, but it’s definitely a nice ending to a spectacular camp.

• Right-hander Jesse Hahn was roughed up by the Cleveland Indians on Monday, allowing 10 hits and six runs over 4.2 innings. It isn’t a good time for Hahn to falter. Yesterday, we mentioned Susan Slusser’s report that the A’s are considering whether or not Hahn should start the year in Triple-A, with Felix Doubront assuming his place in the rotation. Hahn is in very real danger of that happening, after a pair of rough starts. Coupled with Ryan Dull‘s outstanding bullpen performance, it will be hard for the Athletics to say no to freeing up a rotation spot for the option-less Doubront, who has actually pitched very well this spring.

In Case You Missed It

Can Jake Smolinski Help the A’s? – Jake Smolinkski was optioned to Triple-A on Sunday, but that doesn’t mean he’s stuck there all season. Melson Varsovia takes a look at what Smolinski could do for the Athletics, most notably with platoon splits. Smolinski offers an advantage that many of the other A’s outfielders do not.

The Best Shortstop in A’s History – Mark Sigmon looks at the best in A’s history at one of the toughest positions to play: shortstop. Which moments and former players made his list? Be sure to check it out and share your thoughts in the comments!

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Next: The A's Should Learn From the Jim Johnson Deal

Around the Web

Oakland Athletics 2016 Preview – Sports Illustrated posted their 2016 previews for each team, but it’s hard to agree with their Oakland Athletics outlook. For instance, writer Kenny Ducey cited the bullpen as a negative, saying that the additions of Liam Hendriks and Ryan Madson and the return of Sean Doolittle won’t be enough to warrant a complete turnaround from 2015. That underestimates the additions of John Axford, the growth of Ryan Dull and Fernando Rodriguez, and the departure of just about every other bullpen mainstay from the prior season.

SI predicted that the Athletics will finish with an even worse record than they did in 2015, but that seems to be a lot of hate for a team that made a lot of bold moves in the off-season. Even with questions looming about Jesse Hahn and Rich Hill, the A’s are in a better place now than they were last year. Be sure to check out SI’s article for the rest of their preview.