7th inning is now Hendriks’ time
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — After Liam Hendriks’ threestrikeout seventh inning Tuesday night, manager Bob Melvin noted that that’s now Hendriks’ main role: He’ll often be in the spot that Fernando Rodney worked before Rodney was designated for assignment last month.
What does that mean for Hendriks as the team’s opener if the team continues to use that strategy? Could he do both? Will someone else serve as the opener? Might the A’s shelve the opener concept for a while until someone suitable (perhaps A.J. Puk or Jharel Cotton ) is available?
“I really don’t know,” Melvin said Wednesday. “There are obviously discussions with people above me as far as that goes. He’s the guy that’s done it the most. We tried it the other day with (Joakim) Soria ,he gave up a homer, but it’s the first time he’s had to do it it. (The Rays) have a couple of guys who do it and understand that’s what they’re going do, maybe that’s something we look at.
“For me, and it’s just me speaking right now, Hendriks is a probably a little more valuable later for us in the game than he is earlier in the game.”
Hendriks hasn’t allowed a run in 16 of his past 18 games and has a 1.25 ERA in that span. He entered Wednesday’s game with two on in the seventh and gave up an RBI double to Yandy Diaz and an RBI infield single by Avisail Garcia.
Hendriks said one key for him has been that he’s throwing more curveballs this year, and when he’s throwing it for strikes, the pitch has helped diversify his repertoire and makes his slider even more effective. Last year, he threw the curve less than 2% of the time. He’s now he’s up to 9.2% curveballs and occasionally has been up to 25%.
“I don’t want to get too ahead of myself,” he said, “so I’ll be available whatever inning they need me for, but the last couple of times, it’s been a later-inning role, which I think is what everyone aims for in the bullpen. It’s been nice — I hope I can keep this roll going and reward their decision.” Melvin on Puk, Luzardo: Melvin got the team’s report on the rehab outings for Puk (Tommy John surgery) and Jesús Luzardo (shoulder) at Class A Stockton on Tuesday and he was enthusiastic about what he’d heard.
“Puk’s first four pitches were 99 mph,” he said. “An easy 99. And Luzardo was up to 97. So everyone was pretty happy with the way things went.”
The left-handers will continue their minor-league rehab assignments for the next few weeks or more. Puk could join Oakland’s bullpen when ready (he will be on an innings limit) and Luzardo could join the rotation when fully cleared.