Estrada (back) was released by the Athletics on Tuesday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.
Estrada was on the 60-day injured list due to a back strain, and after struggling through his last three rehab outings, he's been issued his release. The veteran right-hander accrued an unimpressive 6.85 ERA and 1.31 WHIP with 11 strikeouts over five starts with Oakland this season (23.2 innings), and he hasn't pitched in the big leagues since April 16.
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Athletics' Marco Estrada: Hit hard at Triple-A
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Estrada (back) allowed four earned runs on four hits and three walks while striking out three over three innings for Triple-A Las Vegas against Albuquerque on Friday.
The veteran right-hander was making a big leap in competition from the High-A level, and he ran into plenty of trouble during his relatively brief time on the mound. Estrada surrendered a solo home run to Sam Hillard and a double to Drew Weeks in terms of extra-base hits, pushing his ERA to 8.44 across 10.2 innings during his rehab assignment. It's uncertain where the Athletics go from here with Estrada, as he appears close to stretched out (59 pitches Friday), but he's also proven ineffective over his last three rehab outings.
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Athletics' Marco Estrada: Next rehab start set
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Estrada (back) will make his next rehab start with Triple-A Las Vegas on Thursday, the Associated Press reports.
The move up to the Aviators is somewhat surprising given how Estrada struggled against High-A hitters in his appearance for Stockton last Friday. Nevertheless, the Athletics will give the veteran right-hander a whirl against a notably higher caliber of competition. Estrada owns a 7.04 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and .273 BAA across 7.2 innings over four rehab starts thus far.
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Athletics' Marco Estrada: Rough rehab start
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Estrada (back) allowed three earned runs on five hits, a walk and a balk over 2.2 innings in High-A Stockton's loss to Rancho Cucamonga on Friday. He struck out four.
Estrada worked up to 55 pitches, 35 of which he got into the strike zone. The fact that the veteran right-hander was so hittable was certainly concerning when considering the quality of the competition he was facing, and it was the second consecutive outing in which he's allowed multiple earned runs. Estrada figures to continue toiling away in the lower levels of the minors for at least one more rehab appearance before any move up is considered.
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Athletics' Marco Estrada: Begins rehab assignment
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Estrada (back) struck out two in a scoreless inning for the Arizona League Athletics on Thursday.
Everything apparently went off without a hitch in what was Estrada's first game action since April. According to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle, the veteran hurler is scheduled to make his next rehab appearance for High-A Stockton on Tuesday. It remains to be seen how long Estrada will spend rehabbing in the minors.
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Athletics' Marco Estrada: Could be out until rosters expand
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Estrada (back), who still isn't cleared to throw regular bullpen sessions, could be in the minor leagues until rosters expand in September, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.
The veteran right-hander appeared to be trending in the right direction in late June, when it was reported he'd completed a 25-pitch bullpen session without setbacks. At that point, it was believed that Estrada could embark on a recovery timeline that would make him available shortly after the All-Star break, but Gallegos essentially reports that's no longer the case. Estrada would still need to throw multiple bullpen sessions within relatively close proximity and then eventually embark on a multi-appearance rehab assignment. Given the timing, it appears increasingly likely the veteran right-hander may not be summoned back to the majors until the final month of the season.
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Athletics' Marco Estrada: Shifts to 60-day injured list
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Estrada (back) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Tuesday.
The move has no effect on Estrada's timeline, as he's already been out for more than 60 days. He's expected to return to the Athletics' rotation at some point soon after the All-Star break. The transaction clears a spot for Oakland to activate Chris Herrmann (knee) from the injured list.
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Athletics' Marco Estrada: Could rejoin rotation after break
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Estrada (back) completed a 25-pitch bullpen session Saturday and relayed that he felt "OK" afterward, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
While Estrada wasn't overly positive about his first mound work since undergoing a procedure in April to alleviate back pain, the Athletics were likely satisfied with the fact that the 35-year-old took a step forward in the rehab process. According to Slusser, Estrada's prior experience with rehabbing back injuries (and perhaps his status as a pending free agent) could prompt the Athletics to take an aggressive approach with his recovery, even though he's been sidelined for more than two months. Prior to getting shut down, Estrada managed only a 6.85 ERA and 1.31 WHIP in five outings, but he should be assured a rotation spot if he's able to return shortly after the All-Star break. An already-weak Oakland starting staff suffered a major blow Friday, when ace Frankie Montas was handed an 80-game suspension.
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Athletics' Marco Estrada: Nearing bullpen session
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Estrada (back) threw 15 pitches from flat ground Thursday and could toss a bullpen session as soon as Saturday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.
Estrada was restricted to throwing fastballs from flat ground Thursday, but he could take another step forward over the weekend, assuming he feels good following his latest throwing session. The right-hander still has a ways to go before embarking on a rehab stint, however, per Gallegos.
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Athletics' Marco Estrada: Throws off flat ground
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Estrada (back) completed a throwing session on flat ground Tuesday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Estrada continued with his throwing program as he makes his return from a back strain and the ablation procedure he underwent in April. The 35-year-old will need to advance to throwing off a mound before there's any real timeline for his return to the majors.
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Athletics' Marco Estrada: Makes more progress
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Estrada (back) is continuing his throwing program and has progressed to throwing from 90 feet, Dawn Klemish of MLB.com reports.
The rehabbing right-hander has been making steady progress since initiating his throwing program June 3, as he was tossing at a distance of 75 feet in his previous throwing session last Friday. Estrada still appears to have a multi-week recovery ahead of him, however, with a multi-appearance rehab assignment likely the eventual final step before activation.
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Athletics' Marco Estrada: Tossing from 75 feet
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Estrada (back) has progressed to throwing from 75 feet, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Estrada began playing catch Monday, and he's since been able to stretch out to 75 feet. He'll likely have to throw off flat ground for at least a few more days before moving to a mound. The right-hander has been on the 10-day injured list since April 17 due to a lumbar strain, so Oakland likely won't have any desire to rush him back.
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Athletics' Marco Estrada: Next step in recovery identified
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Estrada (back) will begin playing catch Monday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.
The planned throwing session will mark the first time Estrada has picked up a baseball since hitting the injured list April 17 due to a lumbar strain. Due to the nature of his injury and the amount of time he's already been sidelined, Estrada will likely be brought along slowly. He's eventually expected to require a multi-appearance minor-league rehab assignment before activation.
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Athletics' Marco Estrada: Could play catch soon
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Estrada (back) said Sunday that he hopes to be cleared to play catch at some point during the upcoming week, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Estrada hasn't been able to resume baseball activities since being shut down in mid-April with a strained lower back. Prior to getting hurt, Estrada had posted a 6.85 ERA and 1.31 WHIP in five starts. With Sean Manaea (shoulder) and Jesus Luzardo (shoulder) looming as potential starting options for the Athletics once they complete their respective rehabs, Estrada may not be guaranteed a rotation spot when he ultimately heals up.
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Athletics' Marco Estrada: Not throwing yet
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Estrada (back) has not yet begun a throwing program after undergoing an ablation procedure April 23, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.
The right-hander's recovery is yet to kick into gear, but manager Bob Melvin reiterated Monday that the team expected it would take multiple weeks for Estrada's procedure to take full effect. Once cleared to return to physical activity, Estrada will start with strength and conditioning exercises, graduate to a throwing program, and eventually embark on a minor-league rehab assignment.
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Athletics' Marco Estrada: Feeling better
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Estrada said he's feeling better after undergoing an ablation procedure on his back a few weeks ago, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Estrada failed to offer an update on his recovery progress, leaving him without a timetable for his return. The veteran right-hander did say that he doesn't believe he'll need a lengthy rehab assignment once he's cleared to pitch again, though he's not at that point just yet.
Estrada (back) is still rehabbing at the team's spring facility in Arizona but has yet to start playing catch, Alexis Brudnicki of MLB.com reports.
Manager Bob Melvin reported Sunday that Estrada remains "a bit sore" but is responding to treatment, to an extent. However, with Estrada just having undergone a minor ablation procedure Tuesday, it isn't necessarily surprising that he's yet to pick up a baseball. The veteran is expected to miss several weeks at minimum, so his progress is likely to be deliberate in the early stages of his recovery.
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Athletics' Marco Estrada: Undergoes minor procedure
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Estrada underwent an ablation procedure on his back Tuesday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Estrada was placed on the 10-day injured list last week with a lumbar strain and now will be sidelined a bit longer after undergoing the ablation procedure. The 35-year-old has no set timeline for his return but will spend more than the minimum 10 days on the IL.
