Barnett struck out four over two perfect innings to earn the save in Tuesday's 7-5 win over the Brewers.
Barnett wasn't utilized in Monday's slugfest, leaving him fresh to pitch Tuesday while the bullpen was short. He delivered a tidy outing, collecting his six outs on 31 pitches (20 strikes) for his first career save. Barnett has allowed just two hits with a 12:4 K:BB across eight innings over three relief appearances this season. The Athletics have a hole in the rotation currently, but it may not be an issue until next week. Barnett came up through the minor leagues as a starter, which could make him a candidate for a spot start at some point later in the year. For now, he can be considered a long reliever.
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Athletics' Mason Barnett: Stellar in relief Friday
Rotowire
Barnett allowed a hit and two walks while striking out seven over four scoreless innings of relief in Friday's 5-1 loss to the Astros.
Entering after four-plus innings of five-run ball from starter Jack Perkins, Barnett was able to pitch the remainder of the game and did so without allowing a run while recording a game-high seven strikeouts. It marked the right-hander's first big-league appearance since being recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas on Tuesday and just his second outing of the season, with the first consisting of two scoreless innings April 19. While this appearance came in relief, Barnett made five starts with the Athletics last season and has continued to operate primarily as a starter in Triple-A. That experience could lead him to the starting rotation if Perkins continues to struggle or Kade Morris is unable to establish himself.
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Athletics' Mason Barnett: Recalled from Triple-A
Rotowire
The Athletics recalled Barnett from Triple-A Las Vegas on Tuesday.
Barnett made one scoreless relief appearance for the Athletics earlier this season but has spent most of the year in the rotation at Las Vegas, holding a 4.64 ERA and 41:26 K:BB over 42.2 innings. He could get a chance to make some starts for the Athletics, though the club has not yet clarified what Barnett's role will be.
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Athletics' Mason Barnett: Sent back to minors
Rotowire
The Athletics optioned Barnett to Triple-A Las Vegas on Monday.
Barnett needed 43 pitches to cover two-plus innings Sunday versus the White Sox in his lone appearance in the majors. Since Barnett would have been unavailable to pitch for a day or two, the Athletics have summoned a fresh bullpen arm to take his roster spot.
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Athletics' Elvis Alvarado: Sent down to Triple-A
Rotowire
The Athletics optioned Alvarado to Triple-A Las Vegas on Saturday.
Alvarado was roughed up in his last outing against the White Sox on Friday, when he allowed four runs on three hits and three walks while striking out three across two innings. That game rose his season numbers to an 8.38 ERA and 1.86 WHIP over 9.2 innings, so Alvarado will head down to the minors to regain some form. The A's recalled Mason Barnett from Las Vegas in a corresponding move.
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Athletics' Mason Barnett: Short outing vs. Boston
Rotowire
Barnett did not factor into the decision Wednesday against the Red Sox, allowing three runs on seven hits and a walk across 3.2 innings. He struck out four.
Barnett's major-league career has gotten off to a rocky start -- the right-hander's given up 12 runs across 12.2 innings in his first three starts. Barnett is currently scheduled to face the Red Sox again on the road in his next start, though it's unclear how long he'll remain in the rotation with Jacob Lopez (elbow) expected to return before the end of the season.
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Athletics' Mason Barnett: Poor first impression in debut
Rotowire
Barnett (0-1) allowed five runs on eight hits and struck out one without walking a batter over four-plus innings to take the loss versus the Rangers on Saturday.
Barnett gave up three runs in the second inning, and he was chased in the fifth after Wyatt Langford's solo home run. Barnett was limited to 66 pitches (42 strikes) in his major-league debut. He has a 5.83 ERA and 123:60 K:BB across 117.1 innings with Triple-A Las Vegas this year, a potential harbinger of how things might go for him in the majors. If he gets another start, which is possible due to the numerous injuries in the Athletics' rotation, he's tentatively projected to face the Angels on the road.
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Athletics' Mason Barnett: Making MLB debut Saturday
Rotowire
Athletics manager Mark Kotsay said Barnett will start Saturday's game against the Rangers in Sacramento, Jessica Kleinschmidt of Baseball America reports.
Barnett has spent most of the 2025 season with Triple-A Las Vegas, where he accrued a 5.83 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 123:60 K:BB across 117.1 innings. After being called up from Triple-A on Tuesday, Barnett went unused out of the bullpen over the last few days and will now step into the rotation spot vacated by lefty Jacob Lopez (elbow), who was placed on the IL earlier this week. Though Barnett is regarded as one of the Athletics' top pitching prospects, his poor numbers in the Pacific Coast League make it difficult to depend on him as a streaming option in his MLB debut, especially while pitching in a hitter-friendly venue in Sacramento.
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Athletics' Mason Barnett: Traded to Athletics
Rotowire
The Royals traded Barnett, Will Klein and Jared Dickey to Oakland on Tuesday in exchange for Lucas Erceg, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.
A third-round draft pick in 2022, Barnett has spent all of 2024 with the Royals' Double-A affiliate, making 18 appearances (17 starts) with a 4.21 ERA and a 105:35 K:BB across 87.2 innings. The right-hander figures to report to the Athletics' Double-A affiliate.
