Athletics scratch Dan Straily from PCL playoff start, could be Brandon McCarthy's replacement

With Brandon McCarthy recovering from surgery to relieve pressure from his fractured skull, Dan Straily has been scratched from his PCL playoff start.

By Jack Moore

Sep 6, 2012 at 7:28 pm ET • 1 min read

The Athletics have scratched Triple-A Sacramento starter Dan Straily from his Friday start in the Pacific Coast League playoffs, Joe Stiglich of the Bay Area News Group reported Thursday.

With Brandon McCarthy recovering from surgery after being struck by a line drive Wednesday, the Athletics need reinforcements in the pitching ranks. Straily, 23, started three games for the Athletics earlier this season, posting a 3.18 ERA despite allowing four home runs. He's been a strikeout machine in the minors. He averaged 11.07 strikeouts per nine innings in 11 starts at Triple-A after striking out 11.39 per nine innings at Double-A.

Oakland also could choose to move Travis Blackley back into the starting rotation. In 12 starts this season, Blackley owns a 3.97 ERA and a 2.72 K/BB. Unless McCarthy makes a shockingly quick recovery, though, we should expect to see Straily up with the Athletics soon.

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