Former San Diego Padre reliever Trevor Rosenthal seen here throwing during Sep 13, 2020 game against the San Francisco Giants at Petco Park in San Diego. Rosenthal has signed on with the Oakland A’s for $11 million for the 2021 season (AP News file photo)

Athletics Have Their Closer and their Designated Hitter

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-Gonzalez

Closer: After losing Liam Hendricks to free agency as he landed with the Chicago White Sox, the Oakland A’s acquired veteran closer Trevor Rosenthal for $11 million and one year. Pending a physical he will be wearing the Green and Gold very soon in Spring Training. Rosenthal is 30 years old and during eight years as a closer showing 132 saves.

During the 2020 season he pitched for Kansas City and San Diego and recorded 11 saves. Between Kansas City and San Diego he made 23 appearances saved 11 games, with a 1.90 ERA.

He enjoyed his best years with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2014 when he saved 45 games and 2015 with 48 saves as an All Star. Designated Hitter: With the departure of Khris Davis, going to Texas a few weeks ago, the Athletics have picked-up veteran Mitch Moreland for one-year.

Moreland is a first baseman and designated hitter, and will probably be their DH most of the time and when Matt Olson needs a rest at first base, he will provide the back-up. Mitch Moreland is an 11 year career with Texas, Boston and San Diego, combined numbers are .252 average with 176 home runs and 588 runs-batted-in.

Spring Training: Frankie Montás, Oakland’s Opening Day starter last season is experiencing flu-like symptoms, Melvin said: “He’s several days into it,” Melvin said during a Zoom call before the A’s first workout of spring on Wednesday. “He does feel the effects of it.

He was having some symptoms, more flu-like than probably anything else at this point. He’s going to be a little bit behind.” Catcher Sean Murphy who enjoyed a very good rookie season in 2020 is out of action and not in Spring Training.

According to manager Bob Melvin, the catcher woke up one morning a couple of weeks ago and noticed discomfort while breathing. He went to the hospital and later that day had surgery.

David Forst, the team’s general manager described the injury as a “freak thing” that could have been caused by something as simple as a hard cough during his sleep that led to a pulmonary bleb (a small air pocket or blister) that created a small hole in his lung, Doctors said that while the surgery was not necessary, it was recommended to avoid a recurrence.

Young lefty A.J.Puk threw and felt “free and easy” coming back after shoulder surgery. His would be a very important part of a young and talented rotation, if he can make the team this season, something the organization will like to see in 2021.

Stay well and stay tuned.

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