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The Athletics agreed to minor league contracts with relievers Ben Bowden and Geoff Hartlieb. Matt Eddy of Baseball America famous Bowden’s signing on their newest transaction roundup, whereas the Hartlieb transfer is mirrored on the MLB.com transaction log.
Bowden’s deal is a re-signing, as he spent the 2025 season with the A’s. The 31-year-old southpaw made 11 appearances, permitting six runs (5 earned) throughout 10 2/3 frames. He struck out seven and issued 5 walks earlier than struggling a season-ending lat pressure. Whereas that value him his 40-man roster spot, the A’s like him sufficient as a depth choice to deliver him again. Bowden pitched properly at Triple-A Las Vegas earlier than his call-up, working 39 2/3 innings of 1.36 ERA ball whereas putting out 1 / 4 of opposing hitters.
The A’s may lose Sean Newcomb to free company. That leaves them with Hogan Harris as the one left-hander locked into the bullpen. Brady Basso and swingman Ken Waldichuk are the one different southpaws on the 40-man roster who aren’t set for rotation roles. The A’s will in all probability herald a left-hander (or re-sign Newcomb), however there’s an honest path for Bowden proper now to compete for a season-opening bullpen job.
Hartlieb, 31, is more likely to start the season in Triple-A. The journeyman righty made 4 MLB appearances between the Yankees and Tigers this previous season. He gave up eight runs in 3 1/3 innings and has a near-8.00 ERA in his MLB profession. Hartlieb posted robust underlying numbers in Triple-A, fanning 27.6% of opponents towards a 7.6% stroll price over 53 1/3 frames. That will get him one other non-roster alternative for what’ll be his seventh Triple-A season.
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