Athletics' Mason Barnett: Covers 3.1 frames in bulk relief
Rotowire
Barnett (1-1) took the loss against Minnesota on Saturday, allowing two runs on four hits and one walk while striking out two batters over 3.1 innings.
Initial reports suggested Barnett would start Saturday's contest, but that role ultimately went to Brady Basso, who covered the first two frames. Barnett still ended up logging the longest outing among A's pitchers, tossing 54 pitches (35 strikes) across his 3.1 innings. The right-hander got through his first three frames unscathed, but he surrendered two runs in the sixth, which accounted for all of the scoring in the game. It remains to be seen how Barnett will be deployed moving forward, but he could be needed to make a few starts (or bulk-relief appearances) with J.T. Ginn (finger blister) currently on the 15-day IL.
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Athletics' Mason Barnett: No longer starting Saturday
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Barnett is not listed as the Athletics' starter for Saturday's game against the Twins.
Jason Burke of Roundtable.io originally reported that Barnett would start Saturday. Instead, it'll be left-hander Brady Basso who will serve as the opener in what is shaping up to be a bullpen game for the Athletics. Barnett could still pitch in bulk relief Saturday. He has a 4.64 ERA and 1.34 WHIP over 21.1 innings this season.
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Athletics' Mason Barnett: Handling starting role Saturday
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Barnett is slated to start Saturday's game against the Twins at Target Field, Jason Burke of Roundtable.io reports.
The Athletics called Barnett up from Triple-A Las Vegas on Wednesday, and after he wasn't needed in relief over the past three days, he'll end up slotting into the rotation as a replacement for the injured J.T. Ginn (finger). Barnett was a full-time member of the rotation at Las Vegas prior to his call-up, but all 13 of his appearances with the Athletics in 2026 have come out of the bullpen. As Burke notes, Barnett was limited to 38 pitches in his most recent start for Las Vegas on July 18, so the right-hander will likely be in store for a restricted workload in Saturday's outing.
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Athletics' Mason Barnett: Relegated to Triple-A
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The Athletics optioned Barnett to Triple-A Las Vegas on Wednesday, Jason Burke of Roundtable.io reports.
Barnett ended the first half by giving up three runs in one inning Friday against the White Sox. Now sporting a 4.64 ERA and 1.36 WHIP through 21.1 frames in the big leagues, he'll head back to Las Vegas to begin the second half.
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Athletics' Mason Barnett: Picks up second save
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Barnett earned the save in Thursday's 9-6 win over the Giants, striking out one in a perfect ninth inning.
It's Barnett's second save in his first eight appearances in the majors this season. The 25-year-old right-hander has quickly ingratiated himself in the A's bullpen, allowing just two runs on seven hits and seven walks while striking out 19 in his first 14.2 innings. Barnett made five starts with Triple-A Las Vegas earlier in the year, where he posted a 4.64 ERA over 42.2 innings, but he's now pushing for a high-leverage role in the majors.
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Athletics' Mason Barnett: Stellar in relief Friday
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
