A's Pitching Staff Reveals Clues for 2026 Season

From rotation battles to bullpen roles, the A's spring training usage provides insights into their plans.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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The Oakland Athletics have been giving glimpses into their plans for the 2026 season through how they've been using their pitchers in spring training. From the starting rotation to the bullpen, the A's are providing clues about who will make the team and in what roles.

Why it matters

The A's pitching staff will be a key factor in determining their success in 2026, so understanding the team's plans and priorities for the pitching staff is crucial for fans and analysts alike.

The details

The A's have been giving extended looks to certain pitchers, like J.T. Ginn and Mason Barnett in the rotation, while also bringing Jacob Lopez back from injury. The team's usage of Jack Perkins and Luis Medina suggests they are evaluating them for potential bullpen roles. These spring training decisions provide insight into how the A's see their pitching staff shaping up for the upcoming season.

  • On March 2, Luis Medina made his return to the mound after nearly two years recovering from Tommy John surgery.
  • On Tuesday, Jack Perkins pitched in relief after Aaron Civale's start, suggesting he may be in the mix for a bullpen spot.

The players

J.T. Ginn

A right-handed pitcher who has had two strong outings so far this spring, allowing just one hit and two walks across five scoreless innings with five strikeouts.

Jacob Lopez

A pitcher who entered camp as a frontrunner for a rotation spot, but has been delayed in making his spring debut, which is now scheduled for Sunday against the Dodgers.

Jack Perkins

A pitcher who the A's may be evaluating for a potential bullpen role, as he has been used in relief appearances after starting pitchers.

Luis Medina

A pitcher who is out of options and is competing for a bullpen spot after returning from Tommy John surgery, sitting 98-99 mph in his first spring outing.

Mark Kotsay

The A's manager, who has commented on the expectations and trajectory he envisions for Max Muncy, suggesting Muncy is the favorite to land the third base role.

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What’s next

The A's will continue to evaluate their pitching staff throughout the remainder of spring training, with key decisions to be made on the rotation, bullpen, and roster spots.

The takeaway

The A's are using spring training to get a close look at their pitching options, providing insights into how they plan to construct their staff for the 2026 season. This could lead to some significant roster shake-ups as the team determines the best way to utilize their pitching talent.