Zach Neal - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates

Opts for free agency Neal elected to become a free agent Friday.

Impact Neal was removed from the 40-man roster in Oakland on Wednesday and did not accept an outright assignment to Triple-A Las Vegas. The 34-year-old reliever made it back to the majors this season for the first time since 2018, but he ultimately struggled to a 6.67 ERA in 27 innings with the Athletics.

OCTOBER 7, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Outrighted off 40-man roster Oakland outrighted Neal to Triple-A Las Vegas on Wednesday.

Impact Neal passed through waivers unclaimed after being designated for assignment. He will remain part of the organization for now but can elect to become a free agent. The 34-year-old right-hander struggled to a 6.67 ERA, 1.63 WHIP and 25:14 K:BB over 27 innings of work this season with the Athletics.

OCTOBER 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Recalled from Vegas The Athletics recalled Neal from Triple-A Las Vegas on Friday.

Impact Neal holds a miserable 7.66 ERA and 1.75 WHIP through 22.1 major-league innings this season, but the A's will bring him up from the minors to add a fresh arm to their bullpen. Easton Lucas was optioned to Triple-A in a corresponding move.

SEPTEMBER 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sent packing to Triple-A Neal was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas on Wednesday.

Impact Neal gave up three runs while retiring just one batter in Tuesday's loss to Toronto. He's one of a few moves the Athletics made Wednesday as they reshape their pitching staff.

SEPTEMBER 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Deployed in relief Tuesday Neal retired one batter and was charged with three earned runs on three walks over a 19-pitch relief appearance in Tuesday's 7-1 loss to the Blue Jays.

Impact Neal had made five-inning starts in both of this past two appearances for Oakland, but he returned to the bullpen to begin the week with the Athletics opting to go with Luis Medina, Ken Waldichuk and JP Sears as their starters for the series with Toronto. The Athletics still have an opening in the five-man rotation, but Neal and Kyle Muller could be passed over for the role in favor of Mason Miller (elbow), who may be ready to return from the 60-day injured list this weekend.

SEPTEMBER 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Fans six in no-decision Neal came away with a no-decision Wednesday in Oakland's 5-4 loss to Seattle, giving up three runs on three hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out six.

Impact The right-hander made only one real mistake, but Teoscar Hernandez blasted it into the left-field bullpen for a three-run homer in the third inning. Neal has given the A's five innings and over 80 pitches in each of his first two turns in the rotation, but he's also served up three homers and issued five walks during those 10 frames. The 34-year-old should get at least one more start, which lines up to come at home early next week against the Blue Jays, but he could be the most likely candidate to get bumped to the bullpen when Mason Miller (elbow) rejoins the staff in September.

AUGUST 31, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Draws another start Neal is scheduled to start Wednesday's game against the Mariners in Seattle.

Impact The right-hander will get another turn through the rotation after he picked up his first big-league win since 2016 while holding the White Sox to four runs (two earned) on five hits and three walks over five innings in his first start of the season. Though his outing against the White Sox was enough to earn him a second straight start, Neal may not have much staying power in the Oakland rotation if his performance takes a step back in Seattle. The Athletics could get star rookie Mason Miller (elbow) back from the 60-day injured list in early September, and Neal could be one of the Oakland starters most at risk of losing his rotation spot as a result.

AUGUST 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Nabs win in first start Neal (1-0) picked up the win in Friday's 12-4 victory over the White Sox, giving up four runs (two earned) on five hits and three walks over five innings. He struck out two.

Impact The 34-year-old righty wasn't exactly sharp -- four of the five hits off Neal went for extra bases, including homers by Lenyn Sosa and Eloy Jimenez -- but he got plenty of run support and lasted just long enough to qualify for the win in his first start at the big-league level this season. Neal tossed 87 pitches (53 strikes) and likely did enough to stick in an A's rotation in need of healthy arms. If he stays on turn, Neal's next start appears ticketed for next week in Seattle.

AUGUST 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Zach Neal logs first win since 2016 as A's top White Sox Nick Allen went 4-for-5 with a home run and five RBIs to back Zach Neal’s first major league victory in seven years as the visiting Oakland...

AUGUST 26, 2023 • KANSASCITY.COM

Witt Jr. and brother-in-law Zach Neal meet in the Majors This story was excerpted from Anne Rogers’ Royals Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularl...

AUGUST 24, 2023 • MLB.COM

Slated to start Friday Neal is listed as the Athletics' probable starting pitcher for Friday's game against the White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field.

Impact With Luis Medina (finger) and Freddy Tarnok (calf) both recently landing on the injured list, Neal will get a chance to stake his claim to one of the vacant rotation spots. Between two stints on Oakland's 26-man active roster this season, Neal has made all seven of his appearances out of the bullpen, logging an 8.25 ERA and 1.92 WHIP across 12 innings. He's previously made nine starts with Triple-A Las Vegas this season and covered 3.1 innings in his most recent extend relief appearance for Oakland on Aug. 20, so he should be relatively stretched out compared to most pitchers transitioning from the bullpen to the rotation. Even so, Neal could struggle to reach the five innings that he would need to hit Friday in order to qualify for a win.

AUGUST 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Selected to MLB bullpen Oakland selected Neal's contract from Triple-A Las Vegas on Thursday.

Impact Neal has allowed three earned runs in 3.1 innings of work this season at the major-league level, and he hasn't been much better on the farm. The 34-year-old right-hander figures to operate in long relief in his return to the Athletics.

AUGUST 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Clears waivers The Athletics outrighted Neal to Triple-A Las Vegas on Saturday.

Impact Neal will remain in the Oakland organization after he cleared waivers upon being designated for assignment Friday. The 34-year-old right-hander made his first big-league appearances since 2018 earlier this season, giving up three earned runs on four hits and zero walks in 3.1 innings out of the bullpen.

MAY 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

DFA'd by Oakland The Athletics designated Neal for assignment Friday.

Impact After optioning Neal to Triple-A Las Vegas on Monday, Neal will now be removed from the 40-man roster to make room for Lucas Erceg, who was acquired in a trade from Milwaukee on Wednesday. Neal has two major-league appearances this season, allowing three earned runs across 3.1 innings.

MAY 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Optioned to Las Vegas Oakland optioned Neal to Triple-A Las Vegas on Monday.

Impact Neal appeared in two games after being called up May 11 and allowed three runs over 3.1 innings (8.10 ERA) with three strikeouts and no walks. The right-hander is sent down Monday to make room for Adrian Martinez with Martinez coming off the 15-day injured list after missing three weeks with a right elbow strain.

MAY 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Working out of bullpen Neal will be available out of the bullpen Thursday night against the Rangers.

Impact Luis Medina, recalled alongside Neal on Thursday afternoon, is going to get the start in the A's series opener versus Texas. Neal could enter the game as a bulk reliever.

MAY 11, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Selected to MLB roster Neal had his contract selected from Triple-A Las Vegas on Thursday.

Impact Neal will make a spot start for the Athletics in Thursday night's series opener against the visiting Rangers. He had posted a 5.56 ERA through 11.1 innings (two starts, one relief appearance) this season with Vegas and is not a recommended fantasy streamer even on a six-game slate.

MAY 11, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Starting Thursday Neal will be called up from Triple-A Las Vegas by the Athletics to start Thursday's game versus the Rangers, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Impact Neal has been on quite a journey. The 34-year-old made 30 appearances for the A's from 2016-17 and last pitched in the majors in 2018 when he made one appearance for the Dodgers. He pitched in Japan from 2019-21 before spending last season at Triple-A Albuquerque in the Rockies organization. Neal held a 5.56 ERA and 11:5 K:BB over 11.1 innings with Vegas.

MAY 11, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

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