The Oakland Athletics have made a notable roster change ahead of their game against the Seattle Mariners on Friday, opting to send pitcher Jack Perkins to Triple-A Las Vegas. In his place, the team has called up Joey Estes, a move that reflects the ongoing challenges the Athletics face as they work through a season marred by injuries.
Perkins had been a part of the A's starting rotation since early June, filling in during a time when the team has struggled with numerous injuries. His presence in the rotation was seen as a potential opportunity for him to solidify his position for the upcoming season. However, his recent performance has raised concerns, leading to this decision.
In his last outing on Thursday, Perkins struggled significantly, lasting only three innings. He allowed four hits and three earned runs while issuing five walks and striking out seven batters. This outing was indicative of a season that has been plagued by inconsistency, as Perkins has battled with control issues and the inability to pitch deep into games. Following this performance, his season ERA climbed to 6.50, with a 1.54 WHIP. Notably, his ERA as a starter has been even higher at 7.67, contrasting sharply with a more respectable 4.76 ERA he posted earlier in the year as a relief pitcher.
At the end of August, Perkins expressed his desire to regain confidence in his pitching abilities as the season approached its conclusion. He acknowledged the mental toll that poor results had taken on him, stating, "The results have swayed my mind at times. Like, I need to be more fine. I need to make a pitch, do something different. It’s been this constant cycle of tinkering rather than truly investing and diving into the competitive mindset." His goal for the remaining games is to rediscover the aggressive mentality that had characterized his earlier career in the minor leagues.
While Perkins' inability to pitch deep into games has prompted roster changes, the final month of the season is crucial for him to regain his competitive edge. A's manager Mark Kotsay noted that the decision to call up Estes was also influenced by the need to provide additional length to the bullpen, as the team may require extra arms to cover innings. Estes, however, comes with his own challenges, having recorded a 6.88 ERA in 19 minor league starts this season.
In addition to Perkins' demotion, Kotsay mentioned that pitcher J.T. Ginn would be evaluated by the team orthopedist on Saturday, indicating that Ginn's season could be in jeopardy depending on the results of that assessment. Kotsay emphasized the importance of making decisions that are in the best interest of the players moving forward, stating, "You always want guys to finish the season. But we need to make the right decision for him going forward." Should Ginn be placed on the injured list, Perkins could be recalled to fill a rotation spot, although the A's might also consider giving opportunities to Estes and Kade Morris, who may need more time in the minors.
As the Athletics navigate these roster changes, the focus remains on helping Perkins improve his performance and regain his footing as a competitive pitcher in the major leagues. The upcoming weeks will be critical for him as he seeks to end the season on a positive note and position himself for a more stable role in the future.
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