Athletics' pitching troubles have made a Gage Jump call-up inevitable

Fans may see their No. 3 prospect soon as the A's struggle on the mound.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 8:04pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a baseball pitcher's motion, with sharp planes of color and form representing the Athletics' pitching troubles.A cubist interpretation of a pitcher's motion captures the dynamic energy and complexity of the Athletics' pitching struggles.Oakland Today

The Oakland Athletics' starting pitching has struggled mightily to start the 2026 MLB season, with the team holding a 5.51 team ERA, the 27th-worst mark in the league. As a result, the team's top pitching prospect, Gage Jump, is expected to get called up to the major league roster soon to help bolster the rotation.

Why it matters

The Athletics' poor pitching performance has put them in an early hole in the standings, and they will need to find solutions quickly if they want to compete in the AL West. Bringing up their top pitching prospect in Gage Jump could provide a much-needed boost to the rotation.

The details

The Athletics have not done much to address their pitching needs in the offseason, and that decision is now coming back to haunt them. They rank near the bottom of the majors in both starters' ERA and relievers' ERA, and have already blown four saves in five chances. Gage Jump, the team's No. 3 prospect, has been dominant in Triple-A so far this season, posting a 1.50 ERA in two starts. While he will need to improve his control and limit walks, the Athletics are expected to call him up to the major league roster soon to help stabilize the starting rotation.

  • The Athletics have struggled with their pitching to start the 2026 MLB season.
  • Gage Jump has been dominant in two Triple-A starts so far this year, posting a 1.50 ERA.

The players

Gage Jump

The Athletics' top pitching prospect, who is expected to get called up to the major league roster soon to help bolster the team's struggling starting rotation.

Mason Miller

One of the Athletics' young talents who has already made the jump to the major league roster.

Nick Kurtz

Another one of the Athletics' young talents who has already made the jump to the major league roster.

Shea Langeliers

Another one of the Athletics' young talents who has already made the jump to the major league roster.

Tyler Soderstrom

Another one of the Athletics' young talents who has already made the jump to the major league roster.

Jacob Wilson

An Athletics player who is struggling, with the team having a 52.5% problem with him.

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What they’re saying

“Despite the glaring need for upgrades, the Athletics largely ignored the pitching staff during the offseason, and they are paying the price in the early going. They rank near the bottom of the majors in starters' ERA and relievers' ERA, and they have four blown saves in five chances. Expect to see top prospect Gage Jump in the MLB starting rotation soon after he was sent to Triple-A to open the year.”

— Joel Reuter, Bleacher Report writer

What’s next

Gage Jump is expected to get called up to the major league roster soon to help bolster the Athletics' struggling starting rotation.

The takeaway

The Athletics' decision to not address their pitching needs in the offseason has come back to haunt them, as their starting rotation has struggled mightily to start the 2026 season. The team's top pitching prospect, Gage Jump, is expected to get called up soon to provide a much-needed boost to the rotation.