Anderson joins A's ahead of expected callup
ARLINGTON -- Tanner Anderson will become the latest pitcher to get the call from the Minor Leagues looking to inject some life into a depleted A’s rotation.
The move has not been made official, but Anderson was in Oakland’s clubhouse at Globe Life Park before Sunday’s series finale against the Rangers and he is expected to be added to the roster in time to start Monday’s game at Tampa Bay.
Monday’s slot in the rotation became vacant after the A’s optioned Daniel Mengden to Triple-A Las Vegas last week. Anderson posted a 6.26 ERA in 11 games (10 starts) at Triple-A and was one of several pitchers in the mix for the final rotation spot coming out of Spring Training. He appeared in six games for the Pirates last season, compiling a 6.35 ERA over 11 1/3 innings.
Anderson will be throwing to a familiar face in Tampa Bay. Beau Taylor, Anderson’s batterymate at Triple-A who was called up Saturday for the nightcap of a doubleheader after Nick Hundley was placed on the injured list after the first game, is expected to get the start behind the plate on Monday.
Taylor will give a much-needed rest to Josh Phegley, who was in the starting lineup for Sunday’s game after playing both games of the doubleheader.
“I gave him the option today and he wanted to catch,” A’s manager Bob Melvin said of Phegley. “He realizes he’s got a great opportunity right now and wants to catch as much as he can.”
Bullpen saved
The A’s dropped both games of Saturday’s doubleheader, but one positive that came out of the day was the preservation of their relief corps. Melvin avoided having to call on back-end bullpen pieces in Blake Treinen, Lou Trivino and Yusmeiro Petit, all guys who had been heavily used over the past week.
“We’re in pretty good shape today, especially with our plus guys,” Melvin said. “Only having to use [Liam] Hendriks and [Wei-Chung] Wang benefits some guys and gives some rest. We were pretty taxed coming in. We’re better than I thought we would be after a doubleheader going into today.”