TEMPE, Ariz. -- The Athletics are set to play in their future home of Las Vegas this weekend, and they plan to bring a star-studded cast of players along for the trip.
As part of Big League Weekend at Las Vegas Ballpark, a segment of A’s players and coaches will leave Spring Training to host two games at Las Vegas Ballpark -- home of their Triple-A affiliate Las Vegas Aviators -- against the Angels. Another group will remain in Arizona for split-squad action against the Cubs on Saturday and Dodgers on Sunday.
The A’s position-player group heading to Las Vegas includes Nick Kurtz, Brent Rooker, Jacob Wilson, Tyler Soderstrom, Jeff McNeil, Junior Perez, Henry Bolte, Joshua Kuroda-Grauer, Tommy White, Austin Wynns and Bryan Lavastida.
On the pitching side, Gage Jump, rated the A’s No. 3 prospect and MLB’s No. 57 overall prospect by MLB Pipeline, will start Saturday’s game against the Halos, while newcomer Aaron Civale gets the start for Sunday’s game. Michael Kelly, Scott Barlow, Mark Leiter Jr., Tyler Ferguson and Brady Basso are among the pitchers who will be available out of the bullpen for the two games.
Beyond the two games, the A’s will participate in several events around the area to integrate within their new community ahead of their planned move to a new ballpark on the Las Vegas strip for 2028 Opening Day.
On Friday, A’s mascot Stomper will visit with Summerlin South, Henderson and Southern Highlands Little Leagues for Opening Day ceremonies. Players from Bolden Little League will take the field with A’s players on Saturday, while kids from Mountain Ridge Little League do the same for Sunday’s game.
Before Saturday’s game, the A’s will host a Big League Weekend Bash in Downtown Summerlin from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. PT. The event will include appearances by A’s alumni, activities for kids, a live DJ and a live broadcast of A’s Cast on site.
“Las Vegas is no longer in the back of anyone’s mind,” manager Mark Kotsay said. “It has to be a thought process that, in 2028, that’s where we’re going to be and calling home.”
The A’s will make their way back to Las Vegas Ballpark during the regular season to play a six-game homestand against the Brewers (June 8-10) and Rockies (June 12-14).