A's Option Struggling Rookie Starter Luis Morales

Reliever Joel Kuhnel called up as A's shuffle pitching staff

Apr. 7, 2026 at 3:19am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting the various motions and angles of a baseball pitcher's delivery, with sharp geometric shapes in shades of green, blue, and orange blending together to create an abstract, deconstructed visual representation of the sport.The A's shuffle their pitching staff, sending a struggling young starter down to the minors while calling up a power reliever to bolster the bullpen.Las Vegas Today

The Oakland Athletics have optioned struggling rookie right-handed pitcher Luis Morales to their Triple-A affiliate in Las Vegas, with the team calling up reliever Joel Kuhnel from the minors as the corresponding roster move.

Why it matters

Morales was expected to be a key part of the A's starting rotation this season, but has struggled mightily in his first two outings, prompting the team to send him down to the minors in an effort to get him back on track. The A's will now need to find a replacement starter for Morales' upcoming turn in the rotation.

The details

Morales, a 23-year-old Cuban-born pitcher, made a solid debut for the A's last season, posting a 3.14 ERA in 48.2 innings. However, he has been hit hard in his first two starts of 2026, allowing 10 runs in less than 10 innings of work. In his most recent outing against the Astros, Morales walked six batters and failed to record a single strikeout. The A's are hoping the time in Triple-A will allow Morales to work on his command and rediscover the form that made him one of the team's top pitching prospects.

  • Morales was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas on April 7, 2026.
  • Reliever Joel Kuhnel will be selected to the big league roster on April 8, 2026.

The players

Luis Morales

A 23-year-old right-handed pitcher who was expected to be a key part of the A's starting rotation this season, but has struggled mightily in his first two outings.

Joel Kuhnel

A 31-year-old right-handed reliever who has been called up from Triple-A to join the A's bullpen. Kuhnel impressed in spring training and has continued that success in the minors so far this season.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Morales broke camp in the starting five. The Cuban-born hurler made a solid first impression last season, working to a 3.14 earned run average through 48 2/3 innings. He has had a brutal time the first two turns through the rotation this year.”

— Anthony Franco, Reporter

What’s next

The A's will need to call up a starter to replace Morales in the rotation, with the team's next open spot coming on Friday against the Mets. They have several options on the 40-man roster, including Mason Barnett, Joey Estes and prospect Chen Zhong-Ao Zhuang, as well as the possibility of bringing up top prospect Gage Jump.

The takeaway

This move highlights the A's ongoing efforts to build a competitive pitching staff, as they look to get Morales back on track in the minors while also adding a fresh arm to the bullpen in Kuhnel. The team's ability to develop young pitching talent will be crucial to their success this season.