Athletics Option Starter Following Win in Las Vegas

Even after winning the game for the A's against the Rockies, this starter has been sent back down to Triple-A.

May 10, 2026; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Athletics manager Mark Kotsay walks back the dugout against the Baltimore Orioles during the seventh inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images | Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images

The Las Vegas series featured a crazy week of baseball games, thanks to the high altitude, desert air, and the hitter-friendly ballpark.

Unfortunately for pitchers, all their stats would be ruined as record-breaking offensive numbers took center stage.

Athletics starter Jeffrey Springs had the misfortune of having two starts in Las Vegas this week:
0-2, 11.00 ERA
9 innings
15 hits
13 runs
11 earned runs
2 walks
8 strikeouts
5 HRs

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) June 14, 2026

The biggest loser of the Vegas series was Jeffrey Springs, as he had to make not one, but two starts in the Las Vegas Ballpark, and his numbers were truly awful.

In nine innings pitched, he gave up 11 earned runs, 13 total, and a whopping 15 hits. That's all good for an 11 ERA, and oh yes, he started the A's 'only two losses in both series.

The A's Option Joey Estes

Mar 31, 2025; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics pitcher Joey Estes walks off the mound after the first inning against the Chicago Cubs at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images | Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images

If you had said the A's would send down Joey Estes following his start in Las Vegas before he went out there, everyone probably would have believed it.

Fortunately for Estes, it was not because of a blow-up start. He's had his fair share of those, but in his first big league start this year, he actually was able to collect the win for the team and limit the runs in what was a crazy series of games.

The former 16th-rounder out of high school started his season in Triple-A Las Vegas and posted a 5.95 ERA in 59 innings pitched. That looks horrible, but people can give him some leeway now after seeing what the games in the Vegas Ballpark look like.

A’s moves:
- Joey Estes optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas
- Brady Basso recalled from Triple-A

— Martín Gallegos (@MartinJGallegos) June 14, 2026

The club would call up Estes to make a start against the Rockies, and he was able to allow just four runs on five hits, which isn't too bad in Vegas.

Now, Joey Estes will rejoin the Aviators back in Las Vegas.

Athletics Recall Left-Hander Brady Basso

Sep 8, 2025; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics pitcher Brady Basso (66) throws a pitch against the Boston Red Sox during the fifth inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images | Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images

The corresponding move to the A's sending down starter Joey Estes was calling up the southpaw Brady Basso.

The 28-year-old has pitched in parts of three big league seasons with the Green and Gold, and has had small glimpses of success, but for the most part, hasn't really found his stuff yet.

He posted a 2.31 ERA in 11.2 innings pitched for the team last season. He's made a couple of appearances earlier in this season for the A's as well.

𝙍𝙀𝘾𝘼𝙇𝙇𝙀𝘿

Brady Basso (Oklahoma State) has been recalled to the Majors by the Athletics

Basso has a 3.68 ERA in 21 MLB appearances in his career with 28 K in 36.2 IP#SoonerStatePros pic.twitter.com/HLMGAPE6BM

— Sooner State Baseball Report (@SoonerStateBSBL) June 14, 2026

Basso was called on in the A's series finale in the Vegas series, where he had more struggles. He pitched in 1.2 innings and doubled his ERA heading into the appearance, as he gave up four earned runs.

It's unknown whether the A's will keep Basso in their bullpen for their upcoming series against the Pirates or send him down before the team returns to West Sacramento.