Athletics' Chen Zhong-Ao Zhuang: Opening season in minors
Rotowire
The Athletics optioned Zhuang to Triple-A Las Vegas on Monday.
Zhunag will make the jump up to the Pacific Coast League to begin the 2026 campaign after he spent all of last season at Double-A Midland, where he turned in a 4.08 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 145:35 K:BB in 145.2 innings. The 25-year-old right-hander was added to the Athletics' 40-man roster over the winter but is likely to find himself behind several other minor-league arms for a call-up to the majors.
The Athletics selected Zhuang's contract from Double-A Midland on Tuesday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.
Zhuang spent the entire 2025 season at Midland and finished the year with a 4.08 ERA and 1.28 WHIP to go with a 145:35 K:BB over 145.2 innings. The 25-year-old right-hander is ineligible to be taken in the Rule 5 Draft now that he owns a spot on the Athletics' 40-man roster, and he could be bumped up to Triple-A next year. However, his unimpressive performance in Double-A doesn't inspire much confidence in his chances of reaching the big leagues in 2026.
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Athletics' Chen Zhong-Ao Zhuang: Cleared for Spring Breakout game
Rotowire
The Athletics list Zhuang (undisclosed) on the roster for their March 14 Spring Breakout game against Padres prospects, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.
Zhuang looks to be healthy heading into the 2025 season after he didn't pitch for Double-A Midland after Aug. 29 last season due to an unspecified injury. The 24-year-old righty submitted a 2.05 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 18:5 K:BB in 22 innings for Midland following a promotion from High-A Lansing in late July.
