OAKLAND, Calif. — The Oakland A’s reinstated left-handed pitcher Sean Newcomb from the 60-day injured list and selected right-handed pitcher Vinny Nittoli from Triple-A Las Vegas, the club announced today. They take the roster spots of left-handed pitcher Brady Basso, who was optioned to Las Vegas following the game on Sunday, and right-handed pitcher Michael Kelly, who was placed on the suspended list today by Major League Baseball. To clear a spot on the 40-man roster, right-handed pitcher Paul Blackburn was transferred to the 60-day IL. Right-handed pitcher Aaron Brooks, who was designated for assignment on Sunday, was outrighted to Las Vegas.
Newcomb began the season on the 60-day injured list with left knee inflammation. He began a rehab assignment with the A’s affiliate in the Arizona Complex League on May 18 and made one start there before he was transferred to Las Vegas on May 21. The 30-year-old left-hander made three relief appearances with the Aviators and was a combined 0-0 with a 3.00 ERA in four rehab outings overall. Newcomb walked four and struck out six in 6.0 innings while allowing a .273 batting average.
Nittoli has spent the entire season at Las Vegas where he is 3-1 with three saves, a 2.70 ERA and .711 opponents OPS in 20 relief appearances. He has a .230 opponents batting average but has walked 11 batters in 23.1 innings while striking out 36. The 33-year-old right-hander held right-handed hitters to a .193 batting average while allowing a .174 average with runners in scoring position. Nittoli has pitched in the majors with the Mariners (2021), Phillies (2022) and Mets (2023) and has a 4.05 ERA in six career relief appearances.
Basso was recalled from Las Vegas on Friday and pitched in two games in Atlanta over the weekend in his Major League debut. He struck out one batter in 1.1 innings and did not allow a run, hit or walk. Kelly was 3-2 with a 2.59 ERA in 28 relief appearances with Oakland. Blackburn was 3-2 with a 4.11 ERA in eight starts when he was placed on the 15-day IL May 13 with a stress reaction in the fifth metatarsal of his right foot. Brooks was 0-2 with a 5.82 ERA in four starts with the A’s before he was designated for assignment on Sunday when Luis Medina came off the injured list.
