MLB 2020 season: Opening Day rosters for A’s AL West rivals

Opening Day rosters were announced around the league on Thursday, and the season officially began for four teams that played later that night — including the Giants, who lost in a blowout. The other 26 clubs are waiting until Friday to take the field, but at least we know who will be suited up and available.

The Oakland A’s will only face nine different opponents this summer in their abbreviated 60-game schedule. They’ll spend two-thirds of the time playing the other four AL West clubs, and then 20 more total against the five NL West teams. Their division rivals are always frequent matchups, but this year it will be exaggerated even further.

With so much of the season riding on these four particular rivals, let’s take a look at how their rosters shaped up. You can also click here to see the A’s 30-man squad, or scroll down to the bottom of this post.

For further analysis of these teams, plus season outlooks and full 60-man player pool listings, check out these previews from a couple weeks ago:

• Astros
• Angels
• Rangers
• Mariners

Here are the rosters. Note the injured lists below each one.

Houston Astros

Of note: Houston is missing one starter (Urquidy) and one key hitter (Alvarez) for undisclosed reasons, which so far around the league has usually been shorthand for coronavirus-related complications; reliever Joe Smith might still opt out of the season but for now and is just on the Restricted List while he decides.

Cool detail: Former A’s prospect Brandon Bailey, traded to Houston years ago for Ramon Laureano, has made the MLB roster and is in line to debut in the bigs any day now.

10-day IL: RHP Rogelio Armenteros (elbow), RHP Jose Urquidy (undisclosed), RHP Brad Peacock (shoulder), LHP Cionel Perez (undisclosed), RHP Austin Pruitt (elbow), DH Yordan Alvarez (undisclosed)

Restricted: RHP Joe Smith (still deciding about opt-out)

Los Angeles Angels

Of note: Teheran is back from his coronavirus positive test, but still warming up after missing training camp and so still on the IL for now; Rendon will miss Opening Day (oblique) but is hopeful to return within a week.

Cool detail: Ohtani is listed twice below, including once as part of a six-man rotation in which he’ll pitch every Sunday.

10-day IL: RHP Dillon Peters (oblique), RHP Jose Quijada (undisclosed), RHP Jose Suarez (undisclosed), RHP Julio Teheran (coronavirus), 2B Luis Rengifo (hamstring)

45-day IL: RHP Justin Anderson (TJS)

Texas Rangers

Of note: Only team in the division with just 14 pitchers; lefty reliever Martin would presumably have made the roster if not for coronavirus complications.

Cool detail: Former A’s pitcher Chavez is still plugging along strong, with his 37th birthday coming next month.

10-day IL: LHP Brett Martin (coronavirus)

45-day IL: LHP Brock Burke (shoulder)

Seattle Mariners

Of note: Another six-man rotation, and also 17 total pitchers on the staff, even without Hirano as he works back from coronavirus (he’s rejoined the team already); on the hitter side, note that some infielders are obviously helping in the outfield (not a Ryan Sweeney situation).

Cool detail: Former A’s starter Graveman is back in the majors!

10-day IL: RHP Austin Adams (knee), RHP Gerson Bautista (elbow), RHP Yoshihisa Hirano (coronavirus), C Tom Murphy (foot)

45-day IL: OF Mitch Haniger (back)

Oakland A’s

Of note: Luzardo is in the bullpen for now after missing time to coronavirus quarantine, but he’ll eventually move to the rotation; Puk is out for at least a few weeks.

Cool detail: Weems and Machin are both looking forward to their MLB debuts.

10-day IL: LHP A.J. Puk (shoulder)

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Watch Oakland against the Angels on Opening Day at 7:10 p.m. PT on ESPN, or on the local NBCS California.