Athletics' Ken Waldichuk: Activated, optioned to Triple-A
Rotowire
The Athletics activated Waldichuk (elbow) from the 60-day injured list Saturday and optioned him to Triple-A Las Vegas.
Waldichuk underwent Tommy John surgery last May and had spent all season on the injured list up to this point. He kicked off a minor-league rehab assignment in late June and tallied a 7.63 ERA, 1.70 WHIP and 17:16 K:BB over 15.1 innings spanning six appearances between Single-A Stockton and Las Vegas. The lefty threw 141 frames for the Athletics in 2023 and could certainly make his way back to the big club in due time, but he'll likely first need to harness his control issues in the minors before getting a look in the MLB rotation.
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Athletics' Ken Waldichuk: Reaches third inning in rehab start
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Waldichuk (elbow) gave up two runs (one earned) on one hit and two walks while striking out one batter over 2.1 innings in his rehab start Saturday with Triple-A Las Vegas.
After tossing three shutout innings in his first rehab outing with Single-A Stockton on June 22, Waldichuk moved up to Triple-A for his second appearance. Though he wasn't nearly as efficient Saturday as he had been in his previous outing, Waldichuk pushed up his pitch count from 42 to 51. The Athletics appear prepared to let Waldichuk get stretched out for a starting role during his rehab assignment, but his performance will likely determine whether he enters the big-league rotation once he's activated from the 60-day injured list. Waldichuk has been on the shelf all season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, which he underwent last May.
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Athletics' Ken Waldichuk: Set for another rehab start
Rotowire
Waldichuk (elbow) will make a rehab start with Triple-A Las Vegas on Saturday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.
Waldichuk tossed three scoreless innings, allowing one hit while hitting a batter and striking out four in a rehab start with Single-A Stockton on Sunday. He will now shift his minor-league rehab assignment to Las Vegas as he reaches the final stages of his recovery from Tommy John surgery, which took place in May 2024. Waldichuk last pitched with the Athletics in 2023, posting a 5.36 ERA and 1.56 WHIP with 132 strikeouts over 141 innings in 35 appearances, including 22 starts.
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Athletics' Ken Waldichuk: Beginning assignment Sunday
Rotowire
Waldichuk (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment at Single-A Stockton on Sunday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.
Waldichuk has been throwing against live hitters since the end of May, and he's now been given the green light to return to competitive action. The 27-year-old hasn't pitched in a game at any level since 2023 and underwent Tommy John surgery in May 2024, so he will likely require a relatively long rehab assignment before he makes his season debut for the A's.
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Athletics' Ken Waldichuk: Throws live BP session
Rotowire
Waldichuk (elbow) threw a live batting practice session at the Athletics' spring training complex Saturday, MLB.com reports.
Waldichuk's throwing session consisted entirely of fastballs and changeups, so he'll still need to throw breaking pitches against hitters before the Athletics clear him for a rehab assignment. The southpaw is bouncing back from May 2024 Tommy John surgery and isn't expected to return from the 60-day injured list until July.
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Athletics' Ken Waldichuk: Covers 30 pitches in side session
Rotowire
Waldichuk (elbow) threw his most recent bullpen session Saturday and is targeting a return from the 60-day injured list before the All-Star break, MLB.com reports.
Waldichuk utilized his full arsenal during a 30-pitch bullpen session this past Tuesday, but it's unclear if he was able to increase his pitch count during his latest session over the weekend. Regardless, Waldichuk seems to be progressing well in his recovery from his May 15, 2024 Tommy John surgery, and he could be cleared to start facing hitters within the next few weeks. The 27-year-old lefty has operated mainly as a starter during his time in the big leagues, but a relief role could represent Waldichuk's most realistic path to contributing for the Athletics in 2025.
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Athletics' Ken Waldichuk: Bullpen session on tap
Rotowire
Waldichuk (elbow) will throw a 25-pitch bullpen session Saturday.
Waldichuk is expected to mix in fastballs and changeups during his upcoming mound session. He's been throwing bullpens since early March as the most recent step in his recovery from Tommy John surgery, and it's still unclear when he might be cleared to face live hitters.
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Athletics' Ken Waldichuk: Placed on 60-day IL
Rotowire
The Athletics placed Waldichuk (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Thursday.
After undergoing Tommy John surgery in May 2024, Waldichuk isn't expected to rejoin the Athletics until closer to midseason. The 27-year-old southpaw began throwing bullpen sessions in early March, but it will take a while for him to build to a starter's workload, if that's the role the A's have planned for him.
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Athletics' Ken Waldichuk: Cleared for bullpen progression
Rotowire
The Athletics announced Tuesday that Waldichuk (elbow) has been cleared to begin a bullpen progression, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.
A little under 10 months removed from the Tommy John surgery and internal brace procedure he underwent May 15, 2024, Waldichuk is now ready to resume mound work. Per Gallegos, the Athletics estimated that Waldichuk would require around 13 months of recovery time from surgery, so he could be ready to contribute for the big club at some point in late June or July. Presumably, the Athletics' initial plan is to have Waldichuk get stretched out as a starter during his rehab program, though he could be deployed as a reliever if the team is satisfied with its rotation options by the time he's ready to return from the injured list.
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Athletics' Ken Waldichuk: Undergoes Tommy John surgery
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Waldichuk underwent Tommy John surgery on his left elbow Wednesday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.
Waldichuk was initially diagnosed with a UCL tear last October. He opted for a minor procedure on his elbow last fall in hopes of avoiding the surgery he eventually had Wednesday. The left-hander figures to be sidelined until around midseason of 2025.
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Athletics' Ken Waldichuk: Slated for elbow surgery
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Waldichuk will undergo left elbow surgery Wednesday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.
Waldichuk elected to have a more conservative procedure after being diagnosed with a UCL sprain and flexor strain last October, but he recently had a setback and will require another operation. The Athletics won't provide more details until Waldichuk's surgery is completed Wednesday, but the upcoming procedure promises to be more invasive and will likely prevent him from pitching this season.
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Athletics' Ken Waldichuk: Visit with Dr. ElAttrache scheduled
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Waldichuk (elbow) will visit with Dr. Neal ElAttrache on Monday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.
Waldichuk recently had a setback while throwing a live batting practice session. He was diagnosed last October with a UCL sprain and flexor strain but chose a more conservative Tenex procedure to remove scar tissue and help alleviate pain. More will be known after Monday's exam, but his upcoming meeting with Dr. ElAttrache would seem to suggest that Waldichuk's treatment plan hasn't panned out as anticipated.
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Athletics' Ken Waldichuk: Setback after live BP
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Waldichuk (elbow) experienced a setback after throwing a 25-pitch live batting practice April 29 and is shut down for the time being, MLB.com reports.
The left-hander has not thrown since that session and is slated to be reevaluated in the coming days. It's naturally a tough break for Waldichuk, who opened the season on the 60-day IL but had been making uninterrupted progress prior to this recent stumble. Given Waldichuk will almost certainly require a full-length rehab assignment whenever he is cleared for game action, he may be hard-pressed to be ready for activation before mid-June.
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Athletics' Ken Waldichuk: Tosses live BP
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Waldichuk (elbow) threw 25 pitches against live hitters Monday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.
Waldichuk continues to advance in his rehab, and he's now scheduled to throw a sim game before potentially being sent out on a rehab assignment, per Gallegos. The southpaw figures to get a day or two off before his scheduled sim game.
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Athletics' Ken Waldichuk: Improves velocity in latest bullpen
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Waldichuk (elbow) threw a successful 30-pitch bullpen session Tuesday, MLB.com reports. "Waldichuk looked really good and got his velocity up from his last bullpen," said A's manager Mark Kotsay. "He's trending in the right direction."
Waldichuk has now thrown three bullpen sessions over the last eight days alone, certainly an encouraging sign with respect to his surgically repaired elbow's strength. The left-hander is slated to throw additional bullpen sessions during the Athletics' road trip before facing hitters in a simulated game at some point next week, after which he'll head out on a rehab assignment, per Kotsay.
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Athletics' Ken Waldichuk: Nearing rehab assignment
Rotowire
Waldichuk (elbow) could begin a rehab assignment sometime next week, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.
The lefty has joined the Athletics on their road trip and will throw four bullpen sessions before being sent out on a rehab assignment. Waldichuk was diagnosed last October with a UCL sprain and flexor strain, but he chose a more conservative Tenex procedure to remove scar tissue and help alleviate pain. He will be built up as a starter, so Waldichuk will likely need most of his 30-day rehab allotment before being an option for the Oakland rotation. The southpaw is on the 60-day injured list and won't be eligible for activation until late May.
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Athletics' Ken Waldichuk: Another good bullpen Friday
Rotowire
Waldichuk (elbow) threw between 20 and 25 pitches in a bullpen session Friday, the Associated Press reports.
It's the second bullpen session for Waldichuk this week, as the left-hander continues a deliberate throwing program. Waldichuk could be deemed ready to face live hitters after Friday's session, although how he recovers over the weekend from the activity will likely be the determining factor in whether he progresses to the next step.
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Athletics' Ken Waldichuk: Encouraging bullpen Monday
Rotowire
Waldichuk (elbow) threw a bullpen session Monday that went off without any setbacks, Jason Burke of SI.com reports.
Manager Mark Kotsay remarked that "so far everything is going in the right direction for Kenny," adding the left-hander continues to feel good during his ramp-up process. While Waldichuk continues without a timetable for return, he may only need another bullpen session or two before progressing to facing live hitters.
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Athletics' Ken Waldichuk: Bullpen session on tap
Rotowire
Waldichuk (elbow) will throw a bullpen session Wednesday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.
Wednesday will be Waldichuk's first time throwing off a mound since undergoing surgery in October to address a sprained UCL and damaged flexor tendon in his left elbow. He's slated to throw 25 pitches during his first bullpen session and will certainly require more sessions in order to build up to a typical starter's workload.
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Athletics' Ken Waldichuk: Progress encouraging
Rotowire
Waldichuk (elbow) is progressing "great" according to manager Mark Kotsay, but the left-hander remains without a timetable to begin throwing off a mound, Jason Burke of SI.com reports.
The 26-year-old southpaw appears to be nearing the back end of his recovery from October surgery for a UCL sprain and flexor tendon damage, but this report indicates he's not quite there yet. A mid-February report had indicated there was a possibility Waldichuk would be ready to throw bullpen sessions by the end of spring training, and while that hasn't come to pass, it appears Kotsay is encouraged by the pace of Waldichuk's progress and the absence of setbacks.
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