Elephant Rumblings: Gelof returns, A’s fall behind in Houston

MLB news roundup

Happy Wednesday, Athletics Nation!

The Astros have been bad this year, but it seems they may still have the A’s number after taking a 2-0 series lead with last night’s heartbreaking extra innings walk off in Houston. Adding insult to injury, the Astros’ win came despite starting pitcher Ronel Blanco being ejected from the game for having a foreign substance on his glove.

Zack is back, but Law got sent back to Triple-A to hone his bat. AN’s own Connor Ashford has details aplenty on the A’s latest flurry of moves, most notably the reactivation of second baseman Zack Gelof. Outfielder Lawrence Butler was optioned to Vegas to make space and regroup after struggling to achieve results at the plate this spring. Ashford goes in depth on Butler’s peripherals and batted ball data, which suggest Law has had some particularly bad luck. I’m sure we’ll see him back in green and gold soon.

Garrett Spain has another minor league and prospects report up, with a spotlight on top ranked prospect Jacob Wilson, who has gone all the way from his professional debut to Triple-A this spring. The young shortstop slashed .368/.400/.474 in his first four games with the Aviators.

Alex Espinoza at The Rickey Henderson of Blogs spoke with Chris Daly of Schools Over Stadiums in the wake of an unfavorable Nevada Supreme Court ruling that appears to have killed SOS’s efforts to get a referendum on taxpayer funding for the A’s planned stadium in Las Vegas on the ballot this year. Daly elaborated on his organization’s plans to press forward despite the setback.

The A’s still have a chance to split their four-game series in Houston this week with wins today and tomorrow. Aaron Brooks is back for his first start in an A’s uniform since 2019. Let’s go, Oakland!

A’s Coverage:

• A’s fall to cheating Astros in extras
• Athletics reinstate Zack Gelof, option Lawrence Butler
• Athletics Prospects: Jacob Wilson solid in Triple-A debut
• Schools Over Stadiums pushes forward despite Nevada Supreme Court ruling on A’s ballpark
• Stripling’s homecoming provides much-needed comfort

MLB News & Interest:

• Twelve MLB rule change ideas to save the starting pitcher: Suggestions from people in the game ($)
• Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander sound off on how MLB can save the starting pitcher ($)
• Checking In On 2024’s Reliever-To-Rotation Experiments
• How Giants’ Matt Chapman is just missing in his battle to barrel up ($)
• Mets To Designate Joey Wendle, Yohan Ramirez For Assignment
• Cubs Designate Richard Lovelady For Assignment
• A decade of this? Shohei Ohtani and Dodgers fans descend on Oracle Park ($)
• Today in Baseball History

Best of X:

Roster moves.

Those are some pretty decent numbers.

A’s and Wood hoping for good results today.

Well played, indeed.

Bolte cruising in Lansing.

Much to my chagrin.