A’s update: Liam Hendriks back in opener’s role; Edwin Jackson traded
Reliever who started playoff game against Yankees to pitch first inning Saturday against Cleveland.
OAKLAND — Except for one rough inning in the biggest game of the season, Liam Hendriks was effective down the stretch as the A’s “opener” last year.
Saturday, the reliever was back in the familiar role.
The right-hander who gave up a two-run homer to Aaron Judge in the first inning of Oakland’s wild-card playoff loss at Yankee Stadium last October was a late insert to the lineup against Cleveland, replacing scheduled starter Aaron Brooks.
“The theory is to keep the starter off the top of the order one more time,” manager Bob Melvin said. “It’s as simple as that.”
Hendriks did his job, getting a double-play grounder after Francisco Lindor led off with a single to deep right. Jose Ramirez struck out to end the inning.
Brooks took over to start the second.
In eight first-inning appearances last September, Hendriks did not allow a run. But it was the one bad inning against the Yankees that A’s fans remember, given that Oakland never recovered on its way to a 7-2 defeat.
“He’s well beyond that,” catcher Josh Phegley said. “He’s kind of a chameleon in the bullpen. He can throw any inning for us, including the first, and he’s done it before. It’ll be exciting to see him back out there.”
In 20 1/3 innings over 16 appearances this season entering Saturday, Hendriks had a 1.77 ERA with 22 strikeouts. Twelve of his outings were scoreless.
He was chosen to open against Cleveland because of how he performed in the role last September.
“We’re trying to go with the guy who has experience,” Melvin said. “They’re predominant left-handed. He has some good numbers against lefties.”
Melvin said he tried to keep Hendriks off the mound Friday, a game the A’s won on Matt Chapman’s home run in the 12th inning, because he knew the team would eventually use the reliever as an opener.
“The way it played out, we were fine,” Melvin said.
Jackson traded
Right-hander Edwin Jackson, who helped Oakland reach the playoffs last season by going 6-3 in 17 starts, was traded Saturday to Toronto for cash considerations, the A’s announced.
Jackson signed a minor league deal with the A’s in April.
In two starts with Triple A Las Vegas, he was 0-0 with an 8.38 ERA. He also made one start with the Class A Stockton Ports, allowing two runs over five innings.
The move was announced after pregame media availability. The Blue Jays will be Jackson’s 14th major league team, a record.
When Jackson rejoined the A’s last month, Melvin said, “This guy meant so much to us last year. Performance is one thing, but what he meant on the off days when he wasn’t pitching, he was the biggest cheerleader and one of the guys everybody rallied around.
“There are certain guys who are more important in the clubhouse. From day one that he got to us, he was that impactful. He’s going to be terrific to have here.”
Davis update
Another day, another day without slugger Khris Davis in the Oakland lineup.
Davis was out for the third consecutive game Saturday as he tries to heal from a left-hip contusion.
He might be back Sunday.
“He feels better again today,” Melvin said. “I’d try to handicap tomorrow, but I’ve been wrong, too. But I think that’s kind of the day we’re targeting. We’ll see.”