Puk looks ‘excellent’ in last Arizona start

MESA, Ariz. — Candidates for the A’s fifth starter spot are making the decision difficult. A.J. Puk stated his final case with four scoreless innings Saturday against the Rangers. Cole Irvin worked six scoreless innings against the Dodgers on Friday and Daulton Jefferies pitches Sunday.

“It’s a good competition and you like to see this because there’s more pressure on these guys at this point,” manager Bob Melvin said. “You want to see how they respond.”

Puk, who hadn’t exceeded two innings in Arizona, faced the minimum 12 batters in his start Saturday. He held the Rangers to one hit with three strikeouts and no walks. Melvin had identified four innings as a benchmark for Puk’s final spring start to gauge his readiness to open the season in the rotation.

“I felt really good today,” Puk said. “Real calm, relaxed. I just wanted to go in there and throw a lot of strikes and just attack with my heater, and it all worked out well today.”

Puk’s fastball sat in the 9294 mph range. It averaged 97 mph during his brief 2019 callup before his shoulder problems last year. Puk noted Saturday was his third game in more than a year. He also said he’s increasing the use of his twoseamer as a different look.

“Even if my velocity doesn’t come back to having 98 in my back pocket, I’m still confident in the stuff I have,” Puk said. “I’ve always told myself I want to become a pitcher and previous to these injuries it’s pretty easy to become just like a thrower. With 98 in the back pocket, I could just do that anytime I want. But now I’m just working on becoming a pitcher.”

Melvin said he’s “really not worried” about the 6foot7 lefthander’s velocity: “Because 9394 out of him seems to play a little bit better. He’s a little bit closer to you, he’s got good pop with his wrist and the ball is on you.” Melvin deemed Puk’s outing Saturday as excellent.

“Throwing strikes, repeating his delivery,” Melvin said. “That’s the kind of guy we’re looking for and he’s definitely capable of performances like that.” Jed Lowrie was told he will be the primary second baseman. Aramis Garcia learned he’ll make the roster as the backup catcher.

Lowrie is coming off two injurymarred years with the Mets. “It’s easy to make assumptions coming off of the last couple years,” Lowrie said. “But I knew if I had the opportunity to get healthy and get back out there and feel good that I still had some gas left in the tank.” Reliever Sergio Romo struck out the side in his inning Saturday, then appeared to limp back to the dugout. Melvin said Romo has “a trick knee. … He’s dealt with it before, it’s not a problem.” The A’s reassigned six to the minors: relievers Deolis Guerra and Reymin Guduan, catchers Francisco Peña and Carlos Pérez, infielder Pete Kozma and outfielder Cody Thomas.