Elephant Rumblings: Cole Irvin placed on 15-day IL

Happy Friday, Athletics Nation!

Reeling from six consecutive losses, all of them in front of hundreds of fans at the Coliseum, the A’s will attempt to begin righting the ship tonight as they open a three-game weekend series against the Minnesota Twins in Minneapolis.

Cole Irvin was scheduled to make his sixth start of the season for Oakland, but as Matt Kawahara at the San Francisco Chronicle reported last night, Irvin was instead placed on the 15-day IL retroactive to May 2nd due to shoulder tightness. Kawahara indicated that Zach Logue will likely be called up from AAA to make the start in Cole’s place (update: Logue’s callup and scheduled start has been confirmed).

This is a disappointing development, as Irvin was off to a great start to 2022 with a 2.93 ERA through his first five appearances, though per Fangraphs some of Cole’s advanced stats look closer to average:

Cole Irvin, 2022: 4.54 FIP, 4.07 xFIP, 0.0 fWAR

Nevertheless, a sturdy and reliable replacement-level starting pitcher is a valuable asset. Irvin didn’t miss a beat in 2021, logging 32 starts, and he came into 2022 committed to leveling up his game with a more aggressive approach and a cutter added to his pitch mix.

Furthermore, Irvin’s numbers were definitely trending up after a rough first outing against the Phillies. He looked great in his most recent start against the Guardians last Saturday, and has only allowed two runs in total through his last three starts. It’s possible that Cole really is making strides with his new approach, and hopefully this injury won’t impede his progress.

By my math, if the 28-year-old lefty’s recovery goes well, he may be back on the mound in time to make a start against the Twins at the Coliseum in mid-May. Athletics Nation wishes Cole Irvin a speedy return!

A’s Coverage:

• Berger: Sports Collides With Shipping in Battle Over Proposed Oakland Ballpark ($)
• Lockard: Where to play Sheldon Neuse and other questions the Oakland A’s must answer this season ($)
• Kawahara: A’s starter Cole Irvin (shoulder) going to IL ($)
• Gallegos: Puk emerging as relief ace for A’s
• Polishuk: Josh Reddick Signs With Australian Baseball League’s Perth Heat
• Dierkes: 18 Potential Starting Pitcher Trade Targets This Summer

MLB News & Interest:

• Sarris: Swinging less could be the answer to MLB’s offensive woes. But is it bad for the sport? ($)
• Rosenthal: Rays’ Wander Franco can spearhead the action revolution that MLB so badly desires ($)
• Shea: Giants great Willie Mays, who turns 91 Friday, is as driven and upbeat as ever ($)
• Law: MLB Draft Big Board 2022: Keith Law ranks the top 100 prospects ($)
• McDonald: White Sox Place Andrew Vaughn On 10-Day IL
• Bavazzano: Jose Ramirez On Contract Extension
• Today in Baseball History

Best of Twitter:

Parker Dunshee highlights the A’s Minor League Report.

It earned him a Prospect of the Day nod from @AthleticsFarm.

Lest we forget, memorialize it in a butt banner.

Awfully tough to top Coco in the cool name department.

Ooh, this is tempting. Can I get away for six games this year? Maybe a couple three day weekends?

Port authorities: Howard Terminal could be put to better use.

Slegna or not, this Ohtani is a remarkable talent.

This does not look like Josh Reddick at all to me. But I wish him luck in the Land Down Under.

Fun little infographic on baseball’s winningest managers.