A's Reinstate Trevor May from IL

Photo by Brandon Vallance/Getty Images

May 23, 2023

The Oakland Athletics (10-39) announced Tuesday afternoon they will reinstate Trevor May from the IL. May went onto the IL on April 19 with noted struggles with anxiety. In order to make this move happen, the A’s optioned Opening Day starting pitcher Kyle Muller to Triple-A Las Vegas. The A’s reinstate Trevor May mere days after Seth Brown made his return to the big league roster. They hope the veteran presence will help the young players on the roster.

The A's have reinstated Trevor May from the injured list and optioned Kyle Muller to Las Vegas.

— Oakland A's Communications (@AthleticsPR) May 23, 2023

Trevor May in 2023

Trevor May started this season in a setup man role and got off to a slow start before his injury. Through six innings, May has a 12.00 ERA, 3.167 WHIP, 15.6 BB/9, and a 15 H/9. He signed a one-year deal with Oakland in the 2022 offseason as a “prove-it” contract. He had been on a statistical decline since the 2020 shortened season. During his time on the IL, May met with Oakland media a few times and opened up about his struggles with anxiety.

“The Covid 2020 season was the first time that I struggled a little bit at times,” May said. “As I’ve gotten older, I’ve gotten more comfortable saying it and just getting it out there and taking a beat when I need it,” he continued.

He also talked about how Colorado Rockies closer Daniel Bard and Detroit Tigers outfielder Austin Meadows inspired him to be more public about his story. Joey Gallo recently struggled with similar issues before his break with the New York Yankees. Since taking some time off, he has turned things around this season for the Minnesota Twins.

The A’s and May hope that he, too, has turned the corner and will start to produce in a bullpen that has lost its best arm (Zach Jackson) over the weekend. Most speculated during the offseason Trevor was signed to be used as trade bait for prospects around the trade deadline. The organization hopes he can pitch well and gain some value back. May hopes to be traded to a team that is competing for the playoffs this season.

Kyle Muller Optioned to Las Vegas

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Kyle Muller was obtained by the A’s in a three-team trade (December 2022) with the Atlanta Braves and the Milwaukee Brewers. The Braves got Sean Murphy in the deal. The A’s received not only Muller but also AL rookie of the year candidate Esteury Ruiz.

After a good showing in spring training, the A’s named Muller opening day starter for the 2023 season. Since that point, he has pitched 47 innings with a 8.04 ERA, 1.957 WHIP, 51 ERA+, and a 13.2 H/9. Bottom 80% of the league in Barrel%, Whiff rate%, and Chase Rate sees him as one of the most hittable pitchers in baseball this season.

Filling Muller’s Spot in the Rotation

We are still awaiting an announcement on who will start in place of Muller. The Athletics’ 2022 All-Star, Paul Blackburn, has pitched two rehab starts with Las Vegas. They look to work him back into a position to get on the major league mound sooner rather than later. Shintaro Fujinami is currently on the roster and was starting games for the Athletics until April 24, when they moved him to relief. He has struggled mightily since coming to the States this offseason from the Hanshin Tigers of Japan’s professional league. This season, he has thrown 27 2/3 innings with a 12.69 ERA and a 2.096 WHIP. He could potentially fill in for a start of two as the team prepares Blackburn for his return.