SAM LONG NEWS

Handed loss Saturday Long (3-3) allowed a run on one hit and one walk while striking out three over 1.1 innings to take the loss versus Atlanta on Saturday.

Impact Long gave up a walk-off solo home run to Travis d'Arnaud in the ninth inning. September has been a little rough for Long -- he's allowed seven runs over 11.1 innings, though he's still had a good process with an 11:3 K:BB in that span. The southpaw reliever has a 3.16 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 44:17 K:BB through 42.2 innings, making him a decent option for a spot in the Royals' postseason bullpen.

SEPTEMBER 29 • ROTOWIRE

Handed loss Saturday Long (3-3) allowed a run on one hit and one walk while striking out three over 1.1 innings to take the loss versus Atlanta on Saturday.

Impact Long gave up a walk-off solo home run to Travis d'Arnaud in the ninth inning. September has been a little rough for Long -- he's allowed seven runs over 11.1 innings, though he has an 11:3 K:BB in that span. The southpaw reliever has a 3.16 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 44:17 K:BB through 42.2 innings, making him a decent option for a spot in the Royals' postseason bullpen.

SEPTEMBER 29 • ROTOWIRE

Takes second loss Long (3-2) allowed three runs on three hits and struck out one over two-thirds of an inning to take the loss Monday versus the Tigers.

Impact Long allowed a two-run double to Wenceel Perez in the sixth inning, and John Schreiber allowed an inherited runner to score the decisive run, which stuck Long with the loss. While he's generally been steady this year, Long has faded in September, allowing five runs over seven innings this month. The southpaw is now at a 3.29 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 38:16 K:BB with one save and six holds through 38.1 innings this season.

SEPTEMBER 17 • ROTOWIRE

Picks up win in Game 2 Long (3-1) allowed a hit and a walk while striking out two over 1.1 scoreless innings to earn the win in Game 2 of Monday's doubleheader versus the Guardians.

Impact Spot starter Alec Marsh was unable to complete five innings, leaving the win to Long after the Royals took the lead in the top of the fifth. Long has allowed two runs with a 6:6 K:BB over 7.1 innings in August, earning a win and two holds. Overall, he has a 2.37 ERA despite a 1.25 WHIP and 33:14 K:BB over 30.1 innings this year, and he's added one save and five holds while mostly seeing low-leverage work.

AUGUST 27 • ROTOWIRE

Snags first save of season Long struck out two in a perfect ninth inning Tuesday to record his first save of the season in a 4-3 win over the White Sox.

Impact With James McArthur having coughed up eight runs in his last three appearances and trade-deadline acquisition Lucas Erceg not yet having joined the team, Long got a look in the ninth and carved up Chicago's 6-7-8 hitters. The southpaw has given up only one run in 8.1 July innings with a 9:1 K:BB, and while he's unlikely to see many further save chances, Long does appear to be establishing himself as the top option from the left side in the Kansas City bullpen.

JULY 31 • ROTOWIRE

Snags first save of season Long struck out two in a perfect ninth inning Tuesday to record his first save of the season in a 4-3 win over the White Sox.

Impact With James McArthur having coughed up eight runs in his last three appearances and trade-deadline acquisition Lucas Erceg not yet having joined the team, Long got a look in the ninth and carved up Chicago's 6-7-8 hitters. The southpaw has given up only one run in 8.1 July innings with a 9:1 K:BB, and while he's unlikely to see many additional save chances, Long appears to be establishing himself as the top option from the left side in the Kansas City bullpen.

JULY 31 • ROTOWIRE

Loses 40-man roster spot Long cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Las Vegas on Thursday.

Impact The Athletics needed to do some 40-man roster maneuvering and felt Long's spot was better used elsewhere. Long put up a 5.60 ERA and 32:21 K:BB over 45 innings out of Oakland's bullpen this season.

OCTOBER 13, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sent down to Triple-A Long was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas on Wednesday.

Impact Long was knocked around for four runs (three earned) over 1.2 relief innings in Tuesday's loss to the Blue Jays. He'll be replaced by a fresh bullpen arm.

SEPTEMBER 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Recalled to MLB bullpen Oakland recalled Long from Triple-A Las Vegas on Friday.

Impact Long will give the Athletics some extra bullpen depth with rosters expanding from 26 to 28. The 28-year-old left-hander has posted a 5.27 ERA and 32:18 K:BB in 42.2 major-league innings this season.

SEPTEMBER 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Optioned to Triple-A Long was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas on Saturday.

Impact Long had been in the big leagues since the Athletics acquired him from the Giants in late April. He's struggled to a 5.27 ERA in 42.2 innings, striking out just 17.3 percent of opposing batters. Francisco Perez was called up to take his place in the bullpen.

AUGUST 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Takes first loss Friday Long (0-1) took the loss as an opener against the Red Sox on Friday, allowing three earned runs on three hits and a walk over one-plus inning. He struck out two.

Impact Long's considerably busy line is the byproduct of two very different frames. The left-hander got through the opening inning unscathed, working around a Justin Turner single. However, Long failed to retire any of the three hitters he faced to open the second inning, leaving the bases loaded for Luis Medina. All three inherited runners eventually came across, saddling Long with his second three-earned-run tally in the last four outings. Despite the occasional hiccup, Long has contributed two saves and two holds along with a serviceable 4.36 ERA across 26 appearances.

JULY 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Opening on Friday Long will serve as the Athletics' opener Friday in Boston, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Impact Right-hander Luis Medina is set to handle the bulk of the innings for the A's, but it will be the southpaw Long first out of the chute. Left-handed batters are hitting only .200/.293/.314 off Long this season.

JULY 7, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Grabs second save Long picked up the save Sunday against the Brewers. He allowed one hit over one-third of a scoreless inning.

Impact Long was thrust into a bases-loaded situation with two outs and four runs of cushion but managed to shut down the Brewers' comeback efforts to claim his second save of the season. Though Long gave up a single to Abraham Toro that plated two runs, he managed to retire his next batter to improve to a perfect 2-for-2 in save opportunities in 2023.

JUNE 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Gets first save Saturday Long recorded his first save in Saturday's extra-inning win over the Brewers, firing a perfect 10th inning during which he did not record a strikeout.

Impact Long breezed through his one frame on 15 pitches, 10 which he threw for strikes. The southpaw and first-year Athletic has mostly been a bright spot for manager Mark Kotsay, and he's now allowed just one run over the seven innings covering his last four appearances while also recording a hold in addition to Saturday's save.

JUNE 11, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Reporting to big club Long, whom the Athletics acquired from the Giants on Sunday in exchange for cash considerations, was added to the 26-man active roster Monday.

Impact Though Long has a minor-league option remaining and posted a 9.90 ERA and 1.90 WHIP across 10 innings at Triple-A Sacramento, the Athletics will have him report to the big club right away rather than joining their top affiliate in Las Vegas. Long is expected to fill a multi-inning role out of the bullpen after the Athletics placed one of their other long relievers, Adrian Martinez (elbow), on the 15-day injured list in a corresponding move.

APRIL 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Headed to Oakland Long was traded from the Giants to the Athletics on Sunday in exchange for cash considerations.

Impact Long was designated for assignment by San Francisco on Wednesday, but he'll have an opportunity to carve out a role with the Athletics. The southpaw began the season at Triple-A Sacramento and posted a 9.90 ERA and 1.90 WHIP in 10 innings over four relief appearances, and it wouldn't be surprising to see him head to Triple-A Las Vegas to begin his time with his new club.

APRIL 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Designated for assignment Long was designated for assignment by the Giants on Wednesday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Impact The left-handed pitcher is removed from the 40-man roster to make room for Cal Stevenson after Stevenson was acquired from Oakland. If Long goes unclaimed he will likely report back to Triple-A Sacramento where he's struggled to a 9.90 ERA and 1.90 WHIP over 10 innings of work.

APRIL 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Falls short in roster bid The Giants optioned Long to Triple-A Sacramento on Monday, Evan Webeck of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Impact Long's demotion comes as little surprise after he was blitzed for seven runs (six earned) on 11 hits and three walks while striking out seven over 5.2 innings across his four appearances in the Cactus League. The southpaw was previously one of the Giants' more interesting pitching prospects when he joined the organization in 2020, but he's struggled to stake a claim to a regular role in the big leagues the past two seasons. It's unclear if the Giants intend to have him continue his development as a starter at Sacramento or make a full-time move to the bullpen.

MARCH 13, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Ready for spring training Long (oblique) reported to spring training this week and won't face any restrictions, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Impact Long missed the last month-plus of the 2022 season with a right oblique strain. The left-hander was effective as a reliever for the Giants in 2022 with a 3.61 ERA and 1.25 WHIP over 42.1 innings of work, but he also has experience as a starter. The 27-year-old could compete for one of the final spots in the San Francisco rotation during the Cactus League, but his most likely landing spot to begin the 2023 campaign is the bullpen.

FEBRUARY 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sent to minors Long was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento on Wednesday.

Impact Long has primarily pitched in relief for the Giants this year with 22 of his 28 outings coming out of the bullpen, and he's pitched well overall with a 3.61 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 33:14 K:BB across 42.1 innings. The left-hander will now join Sacramento to get stretched out as a starter after the Giants traded away Matthew Boyd, per Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle.

AUGUST 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Yields grand slam Long (1-3) took the loss Friday versus the Dodgers. He allowed four unearned runs on two hits, a walk and a hit batter while striking out one in one inning.

Impact Long had some control issues, as evidenced by a wild pitch and his plunking of Jake Lamb before serving up a grand slam to Cody Bellinger. While this mess wasn't his alone, it was Long's third time allowing multiple runs in his last five outings. The southpaw has a 2.92 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 26:12 K:BB through 37 innings in 23 appearances (six starts). With Jakob Junis back from the injured list and ready to rejoin the rotation, Long is likely to serve as a multi-inning reliever in the immediate future.

JULY 23, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Snags win Friday Long (1-2) walked one and struck out two in a scoreless inning, earning the win Friday over the Brewers.

Impact Long kept the deficit at three runs, and the Giants rallied for six in the bottom of the ninth to make him a winner. Through six appearances in July, the southpaw has given up six runs in nine innings, though two of those were three-run outings and the other four were scoreless. He has a 3.00 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 25:11 K:BB through 36 innings, working as an occasional opener and a multi-inning reliever.

JULY 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Yields homer in loss Long (0-2) allowed three runs on four hits and struck out two in 2.1 innings Friday, taking the loss versus the Padres. He did not walk a batter.

Impact Long allowed the first three batters he faced to reach base, culminating in a three-run home run by Manny Machado. The Giants were unable to pull even in the contest, leaving Long with the loss for the second time in his six turns as an opener this year. The southpaw owns a 2.48 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 21:8 K:BB across 32.2 innings in 19 appearances overall, primarily working in long relief.

JULY 9, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Starting Friday Long will start Friday's game against the Padres, Evan Webeck of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Impact Long picked up his first career save by recording the final out Wednesday in Arizona, and he's now been tabbed to start Friday's contest. He delivered three scoreless frames in his previous appearance Sunday -- which is tied for his longest outing of the season -- so he's unlikely to last much beyond that as a starter.

JULY 8, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Steps in for first career save Long earned a save against the Diamondbacks on Wednesday, retiring the only batter he faced via strikeout.

Impact The Giants led by three entering the ninth inning, but closer Camilo Doval allowed a run to score and was pulled after letting three straight batters reach base with two outs. Long came in to pitch to Jordan Luplow, and the reliever was able to finish the contest with a three-pitch strikeout for the first save of his career. Doval should remain San Francisco's closer for the time being, though Long has impressed with a 1.78 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 19:8 K:BB in mostly low-leverage work across 30.1 innings on the season.

JULY 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE