Pruitt will operate as the Athletics' opening pitcher Saturday versus Houston, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.
Pruitt will draw another start after serving as the opener Wednesday against the Mariners, tossing a scoreless first inning while allowing two hits. Hogan Harris was called up from Triple-A Las Vegas on Saturday and is expected to handle the bulk-relief role following Pruitt.
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Athletics' Austin Pruitt: Serving as opener Wednesday
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Pruitt will serve as the Athletics' opening pitcher in Wednesday's game against the Mariners, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.
Ken Waldichuk (calf) had been the listed starter for Oakland, but he's now instead expected to work in bulk relief. Pruitt carries a 3.38 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 7:5 K:BB in 10.2 innings this season out of the Oakland bullpen.
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Athletics' Austin Pruitt: Tosses three hitless innings
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Pruitt (1-1) earned the win in Tuesday's 9-8 victory over the Diamondbacks. He allowed one walk while striking out one over three scoreless innings.
Pruitt picked up his first win of the season in a nail-biting extra-innings victory over the Diamondbacks on Tuesday, stretching out to three innings after having not gone deeper than 1.2 innings this season. He was incredibly effective in high-leverage situations, taking over in the 10th inning and allowing no baserunners outside of intentionally walking Corbin Carroll in the 11th. Since being called up from Triple-A in early May, Pruitt owns a 4.00 ERA with six strikeouts over nine innings (seven appearances) but could be in line for more work after Tuesday's impressive outing.
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Athletics' Austin Pruitt: Takes first loss Sunday
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Pruitt (0-1) took the loss against the Rangers on Sunday, allowing two earned runs on two hits over one-third of an inning.
Pruitt allowed two of the three hitters he faced to reach safely, surrendering a leadoff double to Adolis Garcia and an RBI single to Jonah Heim. Pruitt was charged with an additional run when Heim subsequently came across on a Leody Taveras fielder's choice, saddling the right-hander with the loss and his second multi-earned-run outing in the last four trips to the mound.
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Athletics' Austin Pruitt: Added to roster
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The Athletics selected Pruitt's contract from Triple-A Las Vegas on Thursday.
Pruitt earned a promotion with a 2.30 ERA and 16:5 K:BB across 15.2 frames with Vegas. The veteran right-hander appeared in 39 games for Oakland last season, posting a 4.23 ERA. He'll likely fill a multi-inning relief role.
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Athletics' Austin Pruitt: Opening season in minors
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Pruitt will report to Triple-A Las Vegas to begin the 2023 season, Ben Ross of MLB.com reports.
Pruitt re-signed with Oakland in January on a minor-league deal that included an invitation to MLB spring training, but he never made a serious push for a spot on the Opening Day roster. He made just four relief appearances in Cactus League play before experiencing back tightness following his most recent outing March 18. The right-hander checked out fine following a bullpen session Saturday, so he at least looks like he'll be ready to go when Las Vegas begins its season March 31.
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Athletics' Austin Pruitt: Rejoins Oakland on MiLB deal
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Pruitt signed a minor-league contract with the Athletics on Sunday.
Pruitt hit free agency after being outrighted off Oakland's 40-man roster in November, but he's back with the organization on a minor-league deal. The 33-year-old appeared in 39 big-league games last season and had a 4.23 ERA across 55.1 innings, and he will likely receive an invitation to major-league spring training.
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Athletics' Austin Pruitt: Loses spot on 40-man roster
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Pruitt was outrighted to Triple-A Las Vegas on Thursday, John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Pruitt appeared in 39 games for Oakland in 2022 but won't retain his spot on the 40-man roster through the offseason. He had a 4.23 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 38:9 K:BB across 55.1 innings.
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Athletics' Austin Pruitt: Back in bullpen
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Pruitt gave up two earned runs on two hits while striking out a batter in one inning of relief in Tuesday's 8-7 loss to the Rangers.
Though Pruitt tossed five no-hit innings when he was needed for a spot start against the White Sox last weekend, the Athletics won't give the right-hander an extended audition in the rotation. After faltering in his relief outing Tuesday, Pruitt now sits on an unremarkable 4.53 ERA and 12.8 K-BB% over 47.2 innings on the season.
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Athletics' Austin Pruitt: Spins five near-perfect frames
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Pruitt registered a no-decision during Friday's 5-3 loss to the White Sox, striking out two without allowing a hit, walk or run in five innings.
Making his first start of the season in place of James Kaprielian (finger), Pruitt entirely shut down Chicago's offense with two errors accounting for the only baserunners against him. He fired 41 of 55 pitches for strikes with 10 of the swinging variety and was in line for the win until the Oakland bullpen surrendered five runs in the ninth inning. Pruitt possesses a 4.24 ERA and 1.03 WHIP across 46.2 innings and may have earned another turn through the rotation with the excellent performance.
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Athletics' Austin Pruitt: Starting Friday
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Pruitt will start Friday's game against the White Sox, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Pruitt has been back in the majors for just under two weeks, and he'll make his first big-league start of the season Friday after James Kaprielian (finger) was a late scratch. Pruitt doesn't tend to pitch many innings out of the bullpen, so it's possible that he's utilized as an opener during Friday's matchup.
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Athletics' Austin Pruitt: Back in big leagues
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Pruitt's contract was selected by the Athletics on Saturday.
Pruitt was designated for assignment Monday, but he's back again just five days later after Dany Jimenez hit the 60-day injured list with a strained right shoulder. Pruitt owns a 4.78 ERA in 37.2 innings this season, so he's unlikely to pitch in a high-leverage role.
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Athletics' Austin Pruitt: Outrighted to minors
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The Athletics outrighted Pruitt to Triple-A Las Vegas on Wednesday.
The 32-year-old right-hander didn't attract any interest on the waiver wire after producing a 4.78 ERA and 1.17 WHIP across 37.2 innings out of the Oakland bullpen this season prior to being designated for assignment Monday. He'll remain in the organization as a depth reliever.
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Athletics' Austin Pruitt: Designated for assignment
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Pruitt was designated for assignment by the Athletics on Monday.
Pruitt recorded his first save of the season Sunday against the Mariners but will lose his spot on the 40-man roster a day later. He's posted a 4.78 ERA and 1.17 WHIP in 37.2 innings over 27 relief appearances in the majors this year, and it's not yet clear whether he'll remain in the organization if he goes unclaimed on waivers.
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Athletics' Austin Pruitt: Records first save Sunday
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Pruitt picked up the save in Sunday's 5-3 victory over Seattle. He did not record a strikeout in a perfect two-thirds of an inning.
With the save Sunday, Pruitt is now the fifth Oakland reliever to record a save this season. Manager Mark Kotsay decided to go with Dany Jimenez in the eighth inning as the Mariners had the heart of the lineup due up. Despite recording the save Sunday, It is unlikely that Pruitt will see many more save opportunities as the A's turned to their top five options earlier in the game after starter JP Sears completed just five innings.
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Athletics' Austin Pruitt: Takes first loss Wednesday
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Pruitt (0-1) took the loss in extra innings against the Angels on Wednesday, allowing an unearned run on one hit over one inning.
Pruitt needed only nine pitches to get through his one frame, but he allowed a go-ahead RBI double to Magneuris Sierra that plated inning-opening runner Steven Duggar with what turned out to be the winning run. The right-hander has had a rocky second half thus far, posting a 9.00 ERA and 1.75 WHIP in four innings across five appearances.
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Athletics' Austin Pruitt: Steps up in long relief
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Pruitt allowed a run on two hits and struck out six over 4.1 innings during Sunday's 2-1 loss to the Mariners.
Pruitt took over in the second inning after Frankie Montas (shoulder) exited the game early. This was Pruitt's longest outing of the season, and his third of three or more innings in 12 appearances overall. The right-hander has a 4.42 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 13:1 K:BB through 18.1 innings. It seems unlikely for the 32-year-old to be an option as a spot starter if Montas has to miss time -- Pruitt saw some starts in the minors in 2021 but hasn't regularly worked in that role since 2016.
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Athletics' Austin Pruitt: Back on track Wednesday
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Pruitt fired a perfect eighth inning in a loss to the Mariners on Wednesday, recording a strikeout.
The right-hander got through his perfect frame on just 13 pitches, bouncing back from an ugly appearance Tuesday when he gave up four earned runs on four hits, including three home runs, in just one-third of an inning. Pruitt has given up four runs on two occasions overall in June, but he hasn't been scored upon in the 7.2 innings covering his other six appearances during the month.
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Athletics' Austin Pruitt: Strong in long relief Saturday
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Pruitt, called from Triple-A Las Vegas earlier in the day, fired three scoreless innings during which he allowed two hits in a loss to the Rangers on Saturday.
Pruitt gave the Athletics some much-needed length on a day when starter Zach Logue was chased after 2.1 innings. The journeyman right-hander, who also has 10 starts on his career resume, is likely to remain in a multi-inning role while up with the big-league club.
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Athletics' Austin Pruitt: Contract selected by Oakland
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Pruitt's contract was selected by the Athletics on Saturday.
Pruitt joined the Athletics on a minor-league deal in March, and he posted a 3.27 ERA and 0.95 WHIP in 22 innings over 12 relief appearances at Triple-A Las Vegas to begin the year. The right-hander made just six major-league appearances between the Marlins and Astros last year, and he should serve mainly as a low-leverage reliever in Oakland.
