Athletics' Justin Sterner: Scoreless inning in team debut
Rotowire
Sterner didn't allow a hit but gave up two walks while striking out one over two-thirds of a scoreless inning Friday against the Mariners.
Sterner will pitch in middle relief after he was claimed by the A's off waivers from the Rays in the offseason. Sterner had strong strikeout rates in the minors, including a 31.4 K% at Triple-A last season. He's been prone to giving up home runs (1.36 HR/9 at Triple-A) and doesn't have great velocity (93.5 mph average fastball in the majors last season), so his upside may also be limited at age 28. Still, he could be a productive reliever for a team desperate for bullpen arms.
... See More... See Less
Athletics' Justin Sterner: Claimed by Athletics
Rotowire
The Athletics claimed Sterner off waivers from the Rays on Monday.
Sterner, 28, got a cup of coffee with the Rays this season, allowing two runs (one earned) with a 4:1 K:BB over four frames. He collected a 3.28 ERA and 60:17 K:BB across 46.2 innings in 2024 at Triple-A Durham. Sterner will compete for a role in the Athletics' bullpen in 2025.
... See More... See Less
Rays' Justin Sterner: Cleared for return
Rotowire
Triple-A Durham reinstated Sterner (undisclosed) from the 7-day injured list Thursday.
Sterner went about one month between appearances due to an unspecified injury, though he looked electric in his first game back Friday against Triple-A Columbus. The 28-year-old right-hander fanned three batters in a perfect inning and now owns a 3.67 ERA with 48 strikeouts across 41.2 frames this season with Durham.
... See More... See Less
Rays' Justin Sterner: Hits IL at Triple-A
Rotowire
Triple-A Durham placed Sterner on its 7-day injured list Saturday with an unspecified injury.
Sterner hasn't pitched since Aug. 3 due to an unspecified injury or illness. The right-hander made appearances out of the Tampa Bay bullpen on May 31 and June 4 but has otherwise spent the 2024 season at Durham, producing a 3.76 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 45:16 K:BB in 40.2 innings.
... See More... See Less
Rays' Justin Sterner: Sent down to minors
Rotowire
The Rays optioned Sterner to Triple-A Durham on Friday, Ryan Bass of Bally Sports Sun reports.
Sterner was up as bullpen protection for a couple days but didn't make an appearance. Shane Baz -- who will start Friday's game against the Rangers -- will fill Sterner's roster spot.
... See More... See Less
Rays' Justin Sterner: Moves back to Triple-A
Rotowire
The Rays optioned Sterner to Triple-A Durham on Wednesday.
During his first stint in the big leagues, Sterner made a pair of two-inning relief appearances for Tampa Bay and struck out four while giving up two runs (one earned) on five hits and one walk. The 27-year-old will cede his spot on the 26-man active roster to right-hander Zach Eflin (back), who was reinstated from the 15-day injured list ahead of his start Wednesday in Miami.
