Bassitt ‘earned stripes,’ is Opening Day starter
Chris Bassitt will start on Opening Day for the A’s against the Houston Astros, manager Bob Melvin announced on Thursday. He will go head-to-head with Astros ace Zack Greinke.
When Melvin broke the news to Bassitt, it wasn’t much of a surprise.
“He smiled,” Melvin said. “He kind of knew. Based on what he accomplished last year, I think he probably
would have been surprised if he wasn’t the guy. He was appreciative. This kind of starts a different level for Chris Bassitt.”
Bassitt is coming off a career year in which he posted a 2.29 ERA over 11 starts. The 32-year-old started coming into his own during the 2019 season, when he posted a 3.81 ERA in 25
starts, helping propel the wild card-bound A’s down the stretch.
He’s been just as sharp this spring, putting together a 1.74 ERA over three starts with 12 strikeouts and two walks.
Melvin said his spring performance didn’t factor much into the decision. Bassitt was a clear frontrunner to take the Opening Day assignment from the moment pitchers and catchers reported in February.
“Big shocker, right?” Melvin joked when he announced the news. “Spring training for guys like him — this is the first year he hasn’t had to dig for a starting job — it’s not so much about spring training performance. It’s about what he accomplished last year. And everyone would probably agree he’s the man for the job.”
He will likely be followed in the rotation by Jesus Luzardo, Sean Manaea, Frankie Montas and the fifth spot, which has A.J. Puk/Daulton Jefferies/Cole Irvin as possibilities.
MONTAS EXITS START EARLY >> The A’s beat the Seattle Mariners 8-5, but Montas had to leave after two innings with a finger injury. Montas called trainers to the mound after throwing a pitch. He left the game after the second inning with a ripped cuticle on his right middle finger, the A’s said. The A’s can breathe a sigh of relief, as this is doesn’t appear to be a serious injury. Manager Bob Melvin said Montas dealt with the fingernail injury in his previous spring start.
He allowed four runs in his two innings. STEPHEN PISCOTTY HOMERS >> The A’s right fielder was having a rough go of it this spring but has turned on the jets in his past two games. Piscotty, battling a wrist injury that required a Cortisone shot, homered for second time in three days and doubled.
Through his first 20 atbats this spring, Piscotty had mustered three hits, all singles. He had eight strikeouts and three walks. It was indicative of a troubling 2020 season in which Piscotty ranked among the worst in most major Statcast categories, including a 31% strikeout rate.
LOWRIE ALSO HOMERS >> Jed Lowrie hit his second home run of spring. He’s also played a lot of second base. Melvin has said that Lowrie’s defensive abilities so soon after knee surgery have surprised him the most.
FORMER ATHLETIC GIO GONZLEZ RETIRES >> After 13 major league seasons, pitcher Gio Gonzalez announced his retirement in a post on Instagram. He was a nonroster invitee for the Miami Marlins this year. Gonzalez, 35, was drafted by the Chicago White Sox but made his major league debut with the Oakland A’s in 2008 at age 22. He played four seasons with the A’s, making an All-Star team with them in 2011. He was one of Melvin’s favorites.