Miller, Noda take next step in rehabs: batting practice

Aside from a surprise sweep of their leg of the Bay Bridge Series against the San Francisco Giants over the weekend, there hasn’t been much fanfare for the Oakland Athletics post-AllStar break. Their 7-14 record entering Wednesday is third worst in the majors since the intermission, adding to an MLB-worst 32-82 season clip.

But the team could be closing in on some muchneeded help for the lineup and pitching staff.

Mason Miller threw a 15pitch live batting practice session on Tuesday, a positive step in his recovery from a mild UCL sprain in his right elbow. The A’s No. 2 prospect threw 10 of those pitches to first baseman Ryan Noda, who faced his first live pitching since landing on the injured list with a fractured jaw July 20. Jonah Bride also stepped in against Miller.

Location was a bit of an issue for the 24-year-old, as it seemed like less than half of his pitches found the strike zone. Yet, Miller’s stuff still looked as potent as what he showed in his first MLB stint, as neither Noda nor Bride could put a ball in play.

“Mason felt good coming off the mound,” manager Mark Kotsay said. “Obviously, command was a little sporadic, but we weren’t really concerned on the command side of it. The velocity was there and he felt good coming off the mound after 15 pitches. We’ll assess really how his recovery is tomorrow and determine how we go forward with Mason.”

Miller, a third-round pick in 2021, displayed his potential early this season. In his first four MLB starts, he struck out 22 batters in 21 1⁄3 innings, keeping offenses at bay with a 0.98 WHIP and flashing a triple-digits fastball. But Miller’s heat ignited elbow issues during his fourth start, leading to his stint on the injured list.

The live hitting session marked progress for Noda as well, who provided arguably the A’s best at-bats this season before landing on the shelf. A doctor’s visit Monday showed that Noda’s fractured jaw is healing, but that “it’s going to take a bit longer,” Kotsay said. The manager initially said Sunday that if his first baseman received clearance to resume baseball activities, he would start a rehab assignment with Triple-A Las Vegas on Wednesday. Noda received that clearance, as the doctor said he’s able to compete “based on his comfortability,” but that Noda’s timeline for his assignment likely changed with the diagnosis Monday.

Kotsay said he hadn’t had a lengthy conversation with Noda about his at-bats off Miller, but overheard that Noda thought he was “pulling off the baseball a little bit.” While the session might’ve not been up to the Rule 5 draft pick’s standards, the A’s will welcome any production from Noda back into their lineup. The rookie has a .375 on-base percentage and 60 walks, which ranked fourth in the majors at the time of the injury, through 90 games.

Jimenez demoted: The A’s announced on Tuesday optioned pitcher Dany Jimenez to Triple-A Las Vegas just three days and one appearance after his activation from the 60-day IL.

Jimenez, a key figure in the A’s bullpen last season, entered a big-league game for the first time since April 16 on Monday night after missing 94 games with a strained right shoulder. He entered a tied game in the eighth inning against Texas and allowed allowed two earned runs, a hit and a walk, placing him on the hook for the A’s 5-3 loss.

“I think we’re going to get him on a regular schedule,” Kotsay said of Jimenez. “Last night in his outing, he obviously didn’t look sharp. I think maybe that’s due to just being off for a long time. The rehab process, we built him up to where we thought he was prepared but last night, it didn’t look as if he was completely confident either. I think the goal is to go down, try to get the velocity back up and build some confidence.”

In a corresponding move, the A’s recalled pitcher Adrian Martinez from Triple-A. The 26-year-old was on Oakland’s Opening Day roster but struggled in 11 appearances in the big leagues this season, compiling a 5.70 ERA. He allowed two runs in 4 2⁄3 innings Tuesday in a 6-1 loss to the Rangers.