A's Rotation Battle: Who Will Claim the Final Spots?

Unraveling the mystery behind the open rotation spots in Oakland.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 9:10pm

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A cubist-style painting depicting a baseball pitcher in motion, with their form broken down into overlapping geometric shapes and planes in shades of navy, green, and orange.The A's rotation battle showcases the team's depth of young pitching talent, with several arms vying for the final two spots in the starting lineup.Oakland Today

The Oakland A's have solidified their top three starting pitchers for the upcoming season, but the final two rotation spots are up for grabs. Manager Mark Kotsay has several options to consider, including veteran lefty Jacob Lopez, top prospect Luis Morales, and a few other young arms. The competition for those last two spots is wide open, and the A's could surprise with their final decision.

Why it matters

The A's rotation battle will be a key storyline to follow as the team looks to improve on their performance from last season. The final two rotation spots could go to a mix of experienced and up-and-coming pitchers, which will impact the team's overall pitching depth and competitiveness.

The details

The A's have confirmed that Severino, Springs, and Civale will be their top three starters to open the season. However, the final two spots are up for grabs, with several pitchers vying for those roles. Lefty Jacob Lopez was one of the A's best pitchers last year but is recovering from a forearm issue. Top prospect Luis Morales impressed in his debut but has a limited innings workload. The A's could also turn to young arms like Mason Barnett or give swingmen like Jack Perkins or JT Ginn a chance. Another option is the hard-throwing Gunnar Hoglund, who could provide more upside at the back of the rotation.

  • The A's will finalize their Opening Day rotation in the coming weeks before the start of the 2026 season.

The players

Mark Kotsay

The manager of the Oakland A's, who will be responsible for deciding the final two spots in the team's starting rotation.

Jacob Lopez

A left-handed pitcher for the A's who was one of the team's best pitchers last season, but is recovering from a forearm injury.

Luis Morales

A top pitching prospect for the A's who impressed in his debut last season, but has a limited innings workload.

Mason Barnett

A young pitcher in the A's organization who could be in the mix for one of the final rotation spots.

Gunnar Hoglund

A hard-throwing prospect who could provide more upside at the back of the A's rotation.

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What they’re saying

“The final two spots in the rotation are theoretically up for grabs. Are they truly open to competition? Let's delve into the possibilities.”

— Author

“If fully healthy and ramped up by Opening Day, could he be the odd man out? The A's might be cautious, but could they risk it?”

— Author

“Recent years have shown us that surprises can happen when Kotsay names his Opening Day rotation. This year could be no different.”

— Author

What’s next

The A's will finalize their starting rotation in the coming weeks before the start of the 2026 season. Fans and analysts will be closely watching to see which pitchers claim the final two spots.

The takeaway

The competition for the final two spots in the A's rotation is wide open, with several experienced and up-and-coming pitchers vying for those roles. The decisions made by manager Mark Kotsay could have a significant impact on the team's overall pitching depth and competitiveness in the upcoming season.