Pitcher Drew Rucinski's $5 million option declined by Oakland Athletics
Drew Rucinski’s $5 million option for next season was declined by the Oakland Athletics, allowing the right-hander to become a free agentNOVEMBER 3, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Undergoes lumbar surgery Rucinski (knee/back) underwent lumbar spine surgery with Dr. Robert Watkins on Tuesday in Los Angeles, the team's official site reports.
Impact Already ruled out for the season back in mid-July, Rucinski took the first official step toward a return to full health with Tuesday's procedure. The right-hander's offseason figures to be dominated by recovery and rehabilitation, and it remains to be seen how quickly he bounces back given he'll turn 35 in late December. Rucinski's return stateside after four successful seasons overseas in the KBO was a disappointment, as he also sustained a left knee injury and pitched to a 9.00 ERA and 2.28 WHIP across his four starts for the Athletics.
AUGUST 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Done for season Rucinski (knee/back) is set to undergo season-ending back surgery, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.
Impact Rucinski was already on the 60-day injured list with a multitude of ailments including a left knee injury and he'll now see his 2023 campaign come to a premature ending. The right-hander will finish the season with a 9.00 ERA and 2.28 WHIP with six strikeouts over 18 innings in four starts with the Athletics.
JULY 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Receiving MRI on hip and back Rucinski will get an MRI on his left hip and lower back after reports showed degenerative changes, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.
Impact Rucinski was originally placed on the injured list with a stomach issue, and then suffered a low grade MCL in his right knee. Now it appears things have unfortunately spread for the southpaw. Rucinski isn't eligible to come off the 60-day injured IL until after the All-Star break, but a clearer timeline should be announced after the results of the MRI are made public.
JUNE 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Moved to 60-day IL Oakland transferred Rucinski (illness/knee) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day injured list Tuesday.
Impact This move clears out a 40-man roster spot for Yacksel Rios, who is joining the A's bullpen. Rucinski originally landed on the 15-day IL in late May due to a stomach illness and then recently suffered a low-grade MCL sprain in his right knee. He won't be eligible for activation until late July.
JUNE 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Over illness, nursing knee sprain The Athletics announced Sunday that Rucinski has improved in his recovery from a gastrointestinal illness, but he's now recovering from a low-grade MCL sprain of his right knee, Ma...
Impact Rucinski suffered the injury during a recent bullpen session and will now be barred from throwing for 2-to-3 weeks before he's cleared to resume ramping up again. Prior to landing on the shelf, Rucinski made four starts and was lit up to the tune of a 9.00 ERA and 2.28 WHIP in 18 innings. He could be facing an uphill battle to make it back from the 15-day injured list prior to the All-Star break, and Rucinski may be relegated to a bullpen role even if he makes it back before mid-July.
JUNE 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
A's recall James Kaprielian, place Drew Rucinski on IL The Oakland Athletics recalled James Kaprielian from Triple-A Las Vegas on Saturday and placed fellow right-hander Drew Rucinski on the 15-d...
MAY 20, 2023 • DEADSPIN.COM
Placed on 15-day IL Rucinski was placed on the 15-day injured list with a stomach illness Saturday.
Impact The move was made retroactive to Wednesday (May 17), so the right-hander is eligible to return June 1, though the A's are off that day. In his absence, James Kaprielian was recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas and will start Sunday against the Astros.
MAY 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Bumped back in rotation Athletics manager Mark Kotsay said Rucinski is no longer lined up to start Sunday's game in Houston and is instead expected to take the hill Monday in Seattle, Matt Kawahara of the...
Impact Oakland will use Thursday's off day to reshuffle the rotation, with Kyle Muller moving ahead of Rucinski in the pitching order to stick on a four-day rest schedule between starts. As a result of the change, Rucinski will miss out on a two-start week, though it's unlikely many fantasy managers were including him in lineups after he's gone 0-4 with a 9.00 ERA, 2.28 WHIP and 6:14 K:BB in 18 innings through his first four outings. Though he's tentatively in line to get the start Monday in Seattle, Rucinski could be the odd man out of the rotation as soon as Paul Blackburn (finger) is cleared to return from the 15-day injured list.
MAY 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Falls to 0-4 Rucinski (0-4) allowed five runs on six hits and five walks over 3.2 innings while taking a loss against the Diamondbacks on Monday.
Impact Most of the damage against Rucinski came via the long ball, as Geraldo Perdomo and Lourdes Gurriel each ripped two-run homers against him. Rucinski continues to struggle with his command and he's now sporting an ugly 6:14 K:BB through 18 innings. His ERA jumped to 9.00 and he's given up at least five runs in each of his four MLB starts this season. Rucinski is currently lined up for a tough matchup in Houston this weekend.
MAY 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Roughed up by Yankees Rucinski (0-3) took the loss Tuesday, allowing seven runs (six earned) on six hits and three walks over five innings in a 10-5 loss to the Yankees. He struck out two.
Impact Though Rucinski managed to make it through the first two innings without a blemish, he could not bring the early success into the third, walking Jose Trevino and Aaron Hicks to open up what would become a five-run inning. Despite allowing five runs in the inning, Rucinski did not allow a single extra-base hit, instead giving up four singles, a fielders choice and a sacrifice fly. The rest of the damage came in the seventh, where Gleyber Torres launched a two-run homer that plated Anthony Rizzo. Rucinski picked up his third loss in as many starts, dropping his ERA on the season to 8.16. Considering Rucinski has struck out just six batters in 14.1 innings of work, the right-hander should remain firmly out of fantasy considerations.
MAY 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Struggles again Thursday Rucinski (0-2) allowed five runs on four hits and five walks while striking out three over 3.2 innings, taking the loss Thursday versus the Mariners.
Impact Rucinski opened with a pair of scoreless innings, but Taylor Trammell hit a two-run home run off the right-hander in the third. Rucinski then created a mess and allowed three runs in the fourth. The 34-year-old had a hamstring injury to start the season, and he hasn't shown much in his first two starts with a 7.71 ERA, 2.25 WHIP and 4:6 K:BB through 9.1 innings. If he gets another turn in the rotation, he's tentatively projected for a road start versus the Yankees next week.
MAY 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Awarded another start Rucinski is scheduled to start Thursday's game against the Mariners at Oakland Coliseum, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.
Impact After returning last week from a season-opening stint on the 15-day injured list, Rucinski stepped into the rotation for his Oakland debut and his first MLB appearance since 2018. Though Rucinski gave the team 5.2 innings in his start against the Reds, he was lit up for five runs (three earned) on 11 hits and one walk while striking out one. Rucinski's results weren't anything to get excited about, but the one-year, $3 million deal he received over the winter after spending the previous four seasons pitching in the Korea Baseball Organization represents some level of commitment from the penny-pinching Athletics. Expect the 34-year-old to continue picking up starts, especially while the Athletics are lacking in appealing alternatives to replace him in the rotation.
MAY 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Pitcher's return was 'long time coming' This story was excerpted from MartÃn Gallegos’ A’s Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regular...
APRIL 29, 2023 • MLB.COM
Takes loss in return to MLB Rucinski (0-1) took the loss Friday, allowing five runs on 11 hits and one walk over 5.2 innings against Cincinnati. He struck out one.
Impact This was Rucinski's first start in MLB after pitching in Korea the past four years. The right-hander is also coming off a hamstring injury, so it might be awhile before he's fully back up to speed. The 34-year-old is tentatively slated to face the Mariners in his next start.
APRIL 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Activated for OAK debut Rucinski (hamstring) was activated from the injured list and will make his A's debut Friday versus the Reds.
Impact Rucinski missed the first four weeks of the 2023 regular season after suffering a left hamstring strain toward the end of spring training, but he's ready to rock now following a three-start minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Las Vegas. The 34-year-old right-hander signed a one-year, $3 million contract with Oakland over the winter coming off a 2.97 ERA and 194:34 K:BB in 193.2 innings (31 starts) last year with the NC Dinos of the Korea Baseball Organization.
APRIL 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
On track for this weekend Rucinski (hamstring) is expected to join the Athletics' rotation this weekend, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.
Impact Rucinski pitched well Sunday in his final rehab start with Triple-A Las Vegas and got through a bullpen session with no issues. The A's don't have a started listed for Friday against the Reds and that would be normal rest for Rucinski, so it's possible he makes his season debut that day. Rucinski has been out since late March with a hamstring injury.
APRIL 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Bounces back in latest rehab Rucinski (hamstring) fired 5.2 scoreless innings during which he allowed two hits and two walks while recording four strikeouts in Triple-A Las Vegas' win over Sugar Land on Sunday...
Impact Rucinski worked up to 72 pitches after tossing 62 in his previous rehab start, a fairly disastrous 2.2-inning stint where he allowed seven runs (five earned). The veteran right-hander's ability to bounce back impressively Sunday in what was his third minor-league outing overall could be enough to earn him activation, with a decision on that front likely in coming days.
APRIL 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Roughed up in second rehab start Rucinski (hamstring) was tagged for seven runs (five earned) on four hits and three walks while striking out two across 2.2 innings in his second rehab start with Triple-A Las Vega...
Impact Rucinski built up his pitch count to 62 after tossing 45 pitches in his first rehab start April 12, but that was about the only positive takeaway in his second outing with Las Vegas. The right-hander threw only 35 of his pitches for strikes and retired only eight of the 17 batters he faced on the day. Despite his lackluster results through two rehab outings, Rucinski could still have a starting spot in Oakland waiting for him once he's activated from the 15-day injured list, given the low barrier for entry into the big-league rotation. He'll first make a third rehab start for Las Vegas on Sunday before the Athletics determine his next step.
APRIL 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Feels good after first rehab Rucinski (hamstring), who logged his first rehab appearance with Triple-A Las Vegas on Wednesday, came away feeling good from his 45-pitch outing but will remain with the Aviators...
Impact The veteran right-hander worked two innings against Salt Lake, allowing two earned runs on six hits while recording two strikeouts. Rucinski is still expected to require at least one more rehab outing to prepare for his season debut, and Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle reports the hope is the offseason acquisition is able to be pitching at the big-league level before the end of April.
APRIL 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Rehab assignment set Rucinski (hamstring) threw a 40-pitch side session Saturday and is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Las Vegas on Wednesday, the team's official site reports.
Impact The 32-year-old will be ticketed for approximately three innings and 45 pitches in his first rehab outing. If all continues without setbacks, Rucinski projects to make a late-April season debut.
APRIL 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Nearing rehab assignment Rucinski (hamstring) is scheduled to throw a simulated game Saturday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.
Impact And if all goes smoothly during the workout, Rucinski will then advance to a minor league rehab assignment next week with Triple-A Las Vegas. The 34-year-old right-hander signed on with the Athletics over the winter following four successful seasons in Korea. He should be part of Oakland's starting rotation by the end of April as he moves past a left hamstring strain that popped up in late March.
APRIL 7, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Placed on 15-day IL The Athletics placed Rucinski on the 15-day injured list Thursday with a strained left hamstring.
Impact Rucinski tweaked his hamstring a little over a week ago and it's unclear how much time he might miss. The right-hander should join the A's rotation when healthy.
MARCH 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
IL stint incoming Oakland manager Mark Kotsay said Sunday that Rucinski (hamstring) will begin the season on the injured list, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Impact Rucinski's hamstring tightened up late during spring training and won't be available for the A's to open the campaign. The 34-year-old was recently throwing on flat ground and will need to resume mound work before there's any firm timetable for his return.
MARCH 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Throws on flat ground Rucinski (hamstring) threw on flat ground Thursday, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Impact Rucinski came down with some left hamstring tightness earlier this week and had to be scratched from what would have been his fourth Cactus League start. A's manager Mark Kotsay said after Thursday's workout that the team is "hopeful it's resolved prior to Opening Day."
MARCH 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
