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Zach Neal: Opts for free agency
Neal elected to become a free agent Friday.
Neal was removed from Oakland's 40-man roster Wednesday and did not accept an outright assignment to Triple-A Las Vegas. The 34-year-old reliever made it back to the majors this season for the first time since 2018, but he ultimately struggled to a 6.67 ERA in 27 innings with the Athletics.
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Athletics' Zach Neal: Outrighted off 40-man roster
Oakland outrighted Neal to Triple-A Las Vegas on Wednesday.
Neal passed through waivers unclaimed after being designated for assignment. He will remain part of the organization for now but can elect to become a free agent. The 34-year-old right-hander struggled to a 6.67 ERA, 1.63 WHIP and 25:14 K:BB over 27 innings of work this season with the Athletics.
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Athletics' Zach Neal: Recalled from Vegas
The Athletics recalled Neal from Triple-A Las Vegas on Friday.
Neal holds a miserable 7.66 ERA and 1.75 WHIP through 22.1 major-league innings this season, but the A's will bring him up from the minors to add a fresh arm to their bullpen. Easton Lucas was optioned to Triple-A in a corresponding move.
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Athletics' Zach Neal: Sent packing to Triple-A
Neal was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas on Wednesday.
Neal gave up three runs while retiring just one batter in Tuesday's loss to Toronto. He's one of a few moves the Athletics made Wednesday as they reshape their pitching staff.
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Athletics' Zach Neal: Deployed in relief Tuesday
Neal retired one batter and was charged with three earned runs on three walks over a 19-pitch relief appearance in Tuesday's 7-1 loss to the Blue Jays.
Neal had made five-inning starts in his past two appearances for Oakland, but he returned to the bullpen to begin the week with the Athletics opting to go with Luis Medina, Ken Waldichuk and JP Sears as their starters for the series with Toronto. The Athletics still have an opening in the five-man rotation, but Neal and Kyle Muller could be passed over for the role in favor of Mason Miller (elbow), who may be ready to return from the 60-day injured list this weekend.
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Athletics' Zach Neal: Fans six in no-decision
Neal came away with a no-decision Wednesday in Oakland's 5-4 loss to Seattle, giving up three runs on three hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out six.
The right-hander made only one real mistake, but Teoscar Hernandez blasted it into the left-field bullpen for a three-run homer in the third inning. Neal has given the A's five innings and over 80 pitches in each of his first two turns in the rotation, but he's also served up three homers and issued five walks during those 10 frames. The 34-year-old should get at least one more start, which lines up to come at home early next week against the Blue Jays, but he could be the most likely candidate to get bumped to the bullpen when Mason Miller (elbow) rejoins the staff in September.
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Athletics' Zach Neal: Draws another start
Neal is scheduled to start Wednesday's game against the Mariners in Seattle.
The right-hander will get another turn through the rotation after he picked up his first big-league win since 2016 while holding the White Sox to four runs (two earned) on five hits and three walks over five innings in his first start of the season Aug. 25. Though his outing against the White Sox was enough to earn him a second straight start, Neal may not have much staying power in the Oakland rotation if his performance takes a step back in Seattle. The Athletics could get star rookie Mason Miller (elbow) back from the 60-day injured list in early September, and Neal could be one of the Oakland starters most at risk of losing his rotation spot as a result.
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Athletics' Zach Neal: Nabs win in first start
Neal (1-0) picked up the win in Friday's 12-4 victory over the White Sox, giving up four runs (two earned) on five hits and three walks over five innings. He struck out two.
The 34-year-old righty wasn't exactly sharp -- four of the five hits off Neal went for extra bases, including homers by Lenyn Sosa and Eloy Jimenez -- but he got plenty of run support and lasted just long enough to qualify for the win in his first start at the big-league level this season. Neal tossed 87 pitches (53 strikes) and likely did enough to stick in an A's rotation in need of healthy arms. If he stays on turn, Neal's next start appears ticketed for next week in Seattle.
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Athletics' Zach Neal: Slated to start Friday
Neal is listed as the Athletics' probable starting pitcher for Friday's game against the White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field.
With Luis Medina (finger) and Freddy Tarnok (calf) both recently landing on the injured list, Neal will get a chance to stake his claim to one of the vacant rotation spots. Between two stints on Oakland's 26-man active roster this season, Neal has made all seven of his appearances out of the bullpen, logging an 8.25 ERA and 1.92 WHIP across 12 innings. He previously made nine starts with Triple-A Las Vegas this season and covered 3.1 innings in his most recent extend relief appearance for Oakland on Aug. 20, so he should be relatively stretched out compared to most pitchers transitioning from the bullpen to the rotation. Even so, Neal could struggle to reach the five innings that he would need to hit Friday in order to qualify for a win.
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Athletics' Zach Neal: Selected to MLB bullpen
Oakland selected Neal's contract from Triple-A Las Vegas on Thursday.
Neal has allowed three earned runs in 3.1 innings of work this season at the major-league level, and he hasn't been much better on the farm. The 34-year-old right-hander figures to operate in long relief in his return to the Athletics, though there is an open rotation spot.
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Athletics' Zach Neal: Clears waivers
The Athletics outrighted Neal to Triple-A Las Vegas on Saturday.
Neal will remain in the Oakland organization after he cleared waivers upon being designated for assignment Friday. The 34-year-old right-hander made his first big-league appearances since 2018 earlier this season, giving up three earned runs on four hits and zero walks in 3.1 innings out of the bullpen.
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Athletics' Zach Neal: DFA'd by Oakland
The Athletics designated Neal for assignment Friday.
After optioning Neal to Triple-A Las Vegas on Monday, Neal will now be removed from the 40-man roster to make room for Lucas Erceg, who was acquired in a trade from Milwaukee on Wednesday. Neal has made two major-league appearances this season, allowing three earned runs across 3.1 innings.
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Athletics' Zach Neal: Heads back to Triple-A
Oakland optioned Neal to Triple-A Las Vegas on Monday.
Neal appeared in two games after being called up May 11 and allowed three runs over 3.1 innings (8.10 ERA) with three strikeouts and no walks. The right-hander was sent down Monday to make room for Adrian Martinez, with Martinez coming off the 15-day injured list after missing three weeks with a right elbow strain.
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Athletics' Zach Neal: Working out of bullpen
Neal will be available out of the bullpen Thursday night against the Rangers.
Luis Medina, recalled alongside Neal on Thursday afternoon, is going to get the start in the A's series opener versus Texas. Neal could enter the game as a bulk reliever.
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Athletics' Zach Neal: Selected to MLB roster
Neal had his contract selected from Triple-A Las Vegas on Thursday.
Neal will make a spot start for the Athletics in Thursday night's series opener against the visiting Rangers. He had posted a 5.56 ERA through 11.1 innings (two starts, one relief appearance) this season with Vegas and is not a recommended fantasy streamer even on a six-game slate.
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Athletics' Zach Neal: Starting Thursday
Neal will be called up from Triple-A Las Vegas by the Athletics to start Thursday's game versus the Rangers, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.
Neal has been on quite a journey. The 34-year-old made 30 appearances for the A's from 2016-17 and last pitched in the majors in 2018 when he made one appearance for the Dodgers. He pitched in Japan from 2019-21 before spending last season at Triple-A Albuquerque in the Rockies organization. Neal held a 5.56 ERA and 11:5 K:BB over 11.1 innings with Vegas.
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Athletics' Zach Neal: Inks minors deal with OAK
Neal signed a minor-league contract Friday with the Athletics, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.
This will be a homecoming of sorts for the 34-year-old right-hander, who made his MLB debut with the A's back in 2016. Neal struggled to a 6.87 ERA over 116.2 innings last season with the Triple-A affiliate of the Rockies following a three-year stay in Japan. He'll provide minor-league depth for Oakland.
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Rockies' Zach Neal: Joins Rockies
Neal signed a minor-league deal with the Rockies on Thursday, according to his representation at MSM Sports.
Neal has played the last three season in the Nippon Professional Baseball league with the Seibu Lions. He worked exclusively as a reliever and maintained a 4.85 ERA to go along with only 185 strikeouts across 337.2 innings. Neal will have the chance to earn a bullpen role in Colorado, though even if he sticks with the team he isn't likely to serve in a high-leverage role.
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Zach Neal: Staying in Japan
Neal agreed Wednesday to re-sign with the Seibu Lions of Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball League on a two-year, $4 million contract, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.
Though the 30-year-old posted a 4.84 ERA and ugly 10.5 K% across 85.2 innings in the big leagues between 2016 and 2018, he was expected to draw renewed interest from MLB teams if he had elected to return to North America in 2020. Instead, Neal will look to build on the success he enjoyed during his inaugural year in Japan, where the command specialist allowed only eight home runs and issued only 15 walks en route to supplying a 2.87 ERA in 100.1 innings.
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Player Bio
| HT/WT: 6-3, 220 lbs |
| Birthplace: Columbia, SC |
| Age: 36 |
| Experience: R |
| Bats/Throws: R, R |