Athletics' Ken Waldichuk: Undergoes Tommy John surgery
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Waldichuk underwent Tommy John surgery on his left elbow Wednesday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.
Waldichuk was initially diagnosed with a UCL tear last October. He opted for a minor procedure on his elbow last fall in hopes of avoiding the surgery he eventually had Wednesday. The left-hander figures to be sidelined until around midseason of 2025.
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Athletics' Ken Waldichuk: Slated for elbow surgery
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Waldichuk will undergo left elbow surgery Wednesday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.
Waldichuk elected to have a more conservative procedure after being diagnosed with a UCL sprain and flexor strain last October, but he recently had a setback and will require another operation. The Athletics won't provide more details until Waldichuk's surgery is completed Wednesday, but the upcoming procedure promises to be more invasive and will likely prevent him from pitching this season.
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Athletics' Ken Waldichuk: Setback after live BP
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Waldichuk (elbow) experienced a setback after throwing a 25-pitch live batting practice April 29 and is shut down for the time being, MLB.com reports.
The left-hander has not thrown since that session and is slated to be reevaluated in the coming days. It's naturally a tough break for Waldichuk, who opened the season on the 60-day IL but had been making uninterrupted progress prior to this recent stumble. Given Waldichuk will almost certainly require a full-length rehab assignment whenever he is cleared for game action, he may be hard-pressed to be ready for activation before mid-June.
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Athletics' Ken Waldichuk: Another good bullpen Friday
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Waldichuk (elbow) threw between 20 and 25 pitches in a bullpen session Friday, the Associated Press reports.
It's the second bullpen session for Waldichuk this week, as the left-hander continues a deliberate throwing program. Waldichuk could be deemed ready to face live hitters after Friday's session, although how he recovers over the weekend from the activity will likely be the determining factor in whether he progresses to the next step.
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Athletics' Ken Waldichuk: Encouraging bullpen Monday
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Waldichuk (elbow) threw a bullpen session Monday that went off without any setbacks, Jason Burke of SI.com reports.
Manager Mark Kotsay remarked that "so far everything is going in the right direction for Kenny," adding the left-hander continues to feel good during his ramp-up process. While Waldichuk continues without a timetable for return, he may only need another bullpen session or two before progressing to facing live hitters.
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Athletics' Ken Waldichuk: Opens season on 60-day IL
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The Athletics placed Waldichuk (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Wednesday.
Though Waldichuk has been cleared to play catch at the outset of spring training, he'll need at least two months to complete his throwing progression and get stretched out over a multi-start rehab assignment before he's ready to make his 2024 debut for Oakland. The southpaw was shut down for most of the offseason after he underwent surgery in October to address a UCL sprain as well as flexor tendon damage in his throwing arm.
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Athletics' Ken Waldichuk: Likely to miss start of season
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Waldichuk (elbow) likely won't be ready for the start of the season, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.
Waldichuk underwent surgery in October to repair the damage done to his left UCL and flexor during his final start of 2023. Athletics general manager David Forst didn't offer a timeline for Waldichuk's return during Friday's call with reporters, so it remains unclear when the 26-year-old southpaw will be able to return to Oakland's rotation. Last year, Waldichuk put up a 5.36 ERA and 1.56 WHIP in 141 innings -- his highest workload in a season since he was drafted in 2019.
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Athletics' Ken Waldichuk: Turns in quality start
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Waldichuk (4-8) allowed two runs on four hits and struck out seven without walking a batter over six innings to earn the win over the Tigers on Friday.
Waldichuk has two quality starts over four outings in September, and he also pitched six no-hit innings as a bulk reliever versus the Astros on Sept. 11. He's found some consistency with strong performances this month, lowering his ERA for the year to 5.29 with a 1.54 WHIP and 129:68 K:BB through 136 innings over 34 outings (21 starts). Waldichuk is likely set for one more appearance this season, which is tentatively scheduled to come on the road in Minnesota.
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Athletics' Ken Waldichuk: Slated to start Friday
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Waldichuk is listed as the Athletics' starting pitcher for Friday's game against the Tigers in Oakland, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.
In his most recent outing this past Sunday against the Padres, Waldichuik worked in tandem with starter Joe Boyle, with the former covering four innings to the latter's three. Both pitchers look as though they'll be part of the rotation against Detroit this weekend, as Boyle is listed as Oakland's starting pitcher for Saturday. The Athletics could change course and deploy an opening pitcher in front of Waldichuk, but either way, the 25-year-old southpaw is slated to cover the bulk of the innings Friday.
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Athletics' Ken Waldichuk: Hit hard in Sunday's loss
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Waldichuk dropped to 3-8 on the season while working in bulk relief in Sunday's 10-1 loss to the Padres, striking out two while allowing six runs on nine hits.
Waldichuk entered Sunday's action having allowed just one run over his last 16 innings, but he undid most of that good work in the series finale with the Padres. While entering the game after opener Joe Boyle tossed three scoreless frames, Waldichuk was lit up by the Padres. The nine hits Waldichuk allowed tied for the most he's given up in any outing this season. It's been a rough campaign for Waldichuk, who now sits at a 5.40 ERA, 1.58 WHIP and 122:68 K:BB in 130 innings. He could work in tandem with Boyle again when his next turn in the rotation comes up in the Athletics' series with the Tigers next weekend.
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Athletics' Ken Waldichuk: Serving as primary pitcher Sunday
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Waldichuk, who was originally slated for a conventional start Sunday against the Padres, will now serve as the primary pitcher behind opener Joe Boyle, who is expected to be called up from Triple-A Las Vegas, MLB.com reports.
Waldichuk served as a bulk reliever in his most recent appearance last Sunday against the Astros and turned in a gem, spinning a six-inning no-hit effort. The left-hander hasn't allowed more than two earned runs in an appearance of any kind since Aug. 1, generating a 1-0 record and 1.91 ERA over the 37.2 innings covering his subsequent seven outings. Given that Waldichuk is fully stretched out for a starter's workload, he could end up getting 5-to-6 innings Sunday, depending on how long Boyle stays in the game.
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Athletics' Ken Waldichuk: Holds Astros hitless for six frames
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Waldichuk (3-7) earned the win as Oakland's primary pitcher Monday, allowing one walk and striking out three batters over six scoreless and hitless innings against Houston.
Mason Miller worked as the Athletics' opener and held the Astros scoreless while tossing 45 pitches over two frames. Waldichuk followed and was even more impressive, allowing just two baserunners -- one on a hit-by-pitch and the other on a walk -- across six sterling innings. The southpaw didn't get credited with a quality start since he entered in the third frame, but he did nab his first victory since July 5. Waldichuk has been making a strong impression of late, allowing just one run over his past three outings covering 16 innings. He's posted a poor 9:9 K:BB but has given up just six hits over that stretch.
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Athletics' Ken Waldichuk: Solid in no-decision
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Waldichuk allowed four hits and three walks while striking out three over six scoreless innings in a no-decision versus the Blue Jays on Tuesday.
Waldichuk held his own, but the Athletics' bullpen couldn't do the same in a seventh-inning collapse. This was his first scoreless effort since June 29, and Waldichuk had allowed eight runs over 14.2 innings across his three previous outings. The southpaw is at a 5.63 ERA, 1.64 WHIP and 117:67 K:BB through 120 innings across 31 appearances (20 starts) this season. He's projected for a difficult road start in Houston early next week.
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Athletics' Ken Waldichuk: Solid in no-decision
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Waldichuk did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing a run on seven hits and a walk over five innings in an 8-7 loss against Washington. He struck out four.
Waldichuk pitched well Sunday, allowing just one run in the opening inning before blanking Washington over his final four frames. However, the A's bullpen imploded in the ninth, allowing six runs to blow a 7-2 lead and leave Waldichuk with a no-decision. The 25-year-old southpaw has held opponents to two runs or fewer in three of his last four starts, though he still sports an unsightly 6.07 ERA with a 1.70 WHIP and 51:24 K:BB across 48.2 innings this season.
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Athletics' Ken Waldichuk: Struggles with control Wednesday
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Waldichuk didn't factor into the decision against the Red Sox on Wednesday, allowing four earned runs on five hits and three walks over 4.1 innings. He struck out five.
Waldichuk worked up to 90 pitches despite not making it out of the fifth inning, as only 50 of his offerings found the strike zone. The left-hander started off on the wrong foot when he surrendered a two-run home run to Justin Turner in the first inning, and after holding Boston off the board for the next three frames, Waldichuk was chased after surrendering an RBI single to Rob Refsnyder in the fifth. The 25-year-old will be looking to reverse what is now a two-start rough patch the next time he takes the hill, as Waldichuk has pitched to a 7.88 ERA and 1.63 WHIP across the eight innings covering that pair of outings, albeit while also recording 10 strikeouts.
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Athletics' Ken Waldichuk: Registers no-decision
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Waldichuk didn't factor into the decision Friday's 5-4 loss to the Twins after allowing three runs on three hits and two walks while striking out five over 3.2 innings.
Waldichuk turned in yet another mediocre outing and is now sitting on a 6.66 ERA and 1.84 WHIP for the season. The southpaw isn't a usable fantasy option in most leagues at this stage, and barring a major turnaround in form, he'll likely remain off the radar even if he continues to hold down a starting role.
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Athletics' Ken Waldichuk: Notches second win
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Waldichuk (2-5) earned the win in Wednesday's 12-3 victory over the Tigers after allowing two runs on two hits and three walks while striking out three over 4.1 innings out of the bullpen.
Waldichuk entered in the fourth inning staked to a 4-0 lead after Austin Pruitt delivered three shutout frames as Oakland's opening pitcher. The 25-year-old Waldichuk held the Tigers at bay, allowing just two runs in the eighth en route to the win, his first since May 6. The southpaw has looked better since moving into a bullpen role -- he held opponents scoreless in four of his previous five outings. Overall, Waldichuk still has an ugly 6.62 ERA, 1.87 WHIP and 67:44 K:BB across 70.2 innings this season.
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Athletics' Ken Waldichuk: One inning as opener Sunday
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Waldichuk served as the opener in Sunday's loss to the Astros, allowing an earned run on one hit over an inning while recording two strikeouts.
The left-hander almost escaped his one frame unscathed, but Yordan Alvarez got to him with a two-out solo home run to give the Astros an early lead. Waldichuk threw only 16 pitches (11 strikes), yet he may be set to work in an opener or reliever role for the time being now that Paul Blackburn (finger) is being activated from the injured list and Hogan Harris is up from Triple-A Las Vegas.
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Athletics' Ken Waldichuk: Roughed up in bulk role
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Waldichuk (1-4) took the loss Wednesday against Seattle. He allowed five runs on eight hits and three walks while striking out seven over 2.2 innings.
Oakland elected to use Austin Pruitt as an opener for Waldichuk. It didn't help, as Waldichuk was chased in the fourth inning after allowing eight of 10 batters to reach. The lefty has four appearances allowing at least four runs with just one outing surrendering two runs or fewer. He did pick up seven strikeouts, tying a season high.
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Athletics' Ken Waldichuk: Another mediocre start
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Waldichuk (1-3) took the loss Friday versus the Astros, allowing four runs (three earned) on five hits and five walks while striking out three over five innings.
Waldichuk continues to have trouble with walks, issuing 16 of them over 15 innings across his last three starts, and he's surrendered at least three runs in five straight outings. For the season, the 25-year-old has a 6.85 ERA, 1.85 WHIP and 39:28 K:BB through 46 innings (nine starts.) Waldichuk is lined up for a road start in Seattle next week.
