Fantasy News

• Athletics' Kyle Muller: Another stellar long-relief effort

  Rotowire Apr 2, 2024

  Muller replaced starter Joe Boyle with two outs in the third inning of Monday's loss to the Red Sox and allowed an earned run on one hit and two walks over 5.1 innings. He struck out six. Muller's previous starting experience has already come into play twice over the first five games, as manager Mark Kotsay has taken advantage of the southpaw's ability to work multiple innings to preserve his bullpen in lopsided shutout losses. Muller's impressive work over that pair of appearances -- he's pitched to a 1.13 ERA and 0.50 WHIP while allowing only two hits in eight innings -- could pay dividends for him down the line in the form of a rotation audition if starters such as Alex Wood or Boyle continue to struggle.

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• Athletics' Kyle Muller: Impresses in relief Thursday

  Rotowire Mar 29, 2024

  Muller fired 2.2 scoreless relief innings in a loss to the Guardians on Thursday, allowing a hit while recording two strikeouts. He also hit a batter. Muller came on in relief of starter Alex Wood and threw 24 of his 32 pitches for strikes. The strong outing is a welcome sight for Muller following a rough 2023 in which he produced a 1-5 record, 7.60 ERA and 1.96 WHIP across 21 appearances (13 starts) for the Athletics, and an uneven Cactus League performance that included a 1.85 WHIP and .328 BAA over 13 innings.

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• Athletics' Kyle Muller: Working with revamped delivery

  Rotowire Mar 4, 2024

  Muller, who struggled to a 1-5 record, 7.60 ERA and 1.96 WHIP across 77 innings in his Athletics debut campaign in 2023, made several changes to his mechanics this offseason, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports. Muller has had only one opportunity to show off the new look in game action thus far this spring, allowing an earned run on a walk and two hits over two innings while recording three strikeouts in a start against the Dodgers on Feb. 25. However, Gallegos notes Muller's modifications have been noticeable any time he's picked up a ball during camp, with the big right-hander having raised his arm slot and adjusted his windup rotation from east-to-west to more of a north-south orientation, per the recommendations of the team's baseball operations department. The mechanics closely mirror those Muller utilized while toiling in Atlanta's minor-league system in 2022, and the young hurler noted after his first outing that he could already see the changes paying dividends in the form of more swings and misses on his fastball.

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• Athletics' Kyle Muller: Works in relief Saturday

  Rotowire Sep 11, 2023

  Muller tossed two innings out of the bullpen in Saturday's 3-2 loss to the Rangers, giving up two earned runs on four hits and two walks while striking out one. In his previous outing Sept. 3 versus the Angels, Muller started and kept the Halos off the board through the first three innings, but he melted down in the fourth, giving up three runs before being pulled. Since Muller carried a 7.62 ERA and 1.93 WHIP over 15 appearances (13 starts) on the season heading into the weekend, the Athletics opted to move him to the bullpen and gave Sean Newcomb an audition as a starter. Newcomb delivered four scoreless frames Saturday before turning the game over to Muller, though neither pitcher was ultimately stuck with the loss. In any case, with Newcomb making the most of his opportunity, look for him to get at least one more start while Muller sticks in a relief role.

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• Athletics' Kyle Muller: Tagged with three runs

  Rotowire Sep 4, 2023

  Muller yielded three runs on five hits and a walk over four innings during Sunday's win over the Angels. He struck out three and did not factor in the decision. Muller started with three scoreless frames before serving up a two-run shot to Eduardo Escobar in the fourth inning. Muller has coughed up nine runs over eight innings since returning to the starting rotation. For the season, he's sporting a 7.62 ERA with a 52:34 K:BB across 15 appearances (13 starts). Muller could get moved back to a long-relief role with Luis Medina (finger) and Mason Miller (elbow) both expected to return soon.

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• Athletics' Kyle Muller: Receives start Sunday

  Rotowire Sep 3, 2023

  Muller is slated to start Sunday's game against the Angels in Oakland. Despite being lit up for six earned runs on nine hits and three walks over four innings in his return to the rotation this past Monday in Seattle, Muller will get a second straight start. A strong showing against the Angels could buy Muller some more time in the Oakland rotation, but another poor outing would put him at risk of a move to the bullpen or a demotion to Triple-A Las Vegas next week. The Athletics could get some reinforcement to their rotation as soon as next week with both Luis Medina (finger) and Mason Miller (elbow) tracking toward returns from the injured list.

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• Athletics' Kyle Muller: Summoned from Triple-A

  Rotowire Aug 16, 2023

  Oakland recalled Miller from Triple-A Las Vegas on Wednesday. Muller will presumably be available in long relief Wednesday against the Cardinals as he returns to the Athletics' major-league roster, though the team will have an opening in the rotation for him beginning next week. The 25-year-old left-hander has posted a rough 7.79 ERA, 1.96 WHIP and 37:27 K:BB over 52 innings (11 starts) this season in the big leagues.

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• Athletics' Kyle Muller: Recalled from Vegas

  Rotowire Jul 1, 2023

  The Athletics recalled Muller from Triple-A Las Vegas on Saturday ahead of his start against the White Sox. Muller was optioned to Triple-A on May 23 after accumulating an 8.04 ERA and 1.96 WHIP through 47 innings across 10 starts. His numbers didn't improve much in Triple-A (6.59 ERA and 1.84 WHIP), but he'll receive a promotion nonetheless and return to Oakland's rotation. Kirby Snead was optioned to Las Vegas in a corresponding move.

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• Athletics' Kyle Muller: Optioned to Triple-A level

  Rotowire May 23, 2023

  Oakland optioned Muller to Triple-A Las Vegas on Tuesday. Muller was lit up for six earned runs on eight hits and two walks in a five-inning start Monday at Seattle. The 25-year-old left-hander carries a brutal 8.04 ERA in 47 innings (10 starts) this season at the major-league level.

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• Athletics' Kyle Muller: Gives up five in no-decision

  Rotowire May 17, 2023

  Muller did not factor into the decision Tuesday, allowing five runs on eight hits over four innings against the Diamondbacks. He struck out three. Muller's start seemed to be doomed from the get-go, as Christian Walker tagged him for a two-run home run in the first inning that scored Emmanuel Rivera and increased Muller's streak of allowing a home run to seven straight starts. The lefty ended up allowing five runs, marking his third consecutive appearance giving up at least five runs. If there was any positive takeaway from Tuesday's contest, it would be that Muller didn't hand out a single walk for the first time all year. Considering Muller has yet to go six innings in a start and has only struck out more than three batters twice in nine outings, he offers little value to fantasy managers.

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• Athletics' Kyle Muller: Tagged with third loss

  Rotowire May 10, 2023

  Muller (1-3) took the loss Wednesday, allowing six runs on five hits and three walks over four innings against the Yankees. He struck out six. It's been a tough year so far for Muller, who's now allowed five or more runs in four out of eight starts. The 25-year-old left-hander sports an unsightly 7.34 ERA and 1.95 WHIP -- both the highest marks among qualified pitchers -- with a 27:21 K:BB. Muller will look to get on track in his next outing, tentatively scheduled for next week against Arizona.

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• Athletics' Kyle Muller: Tagged with five runs

  Rotowire May 5, 2023

  Muller (1-2) allowed five runs on eight hits and three walks over 5.1 innings, striking out one and earning a win over the Royals on Friday. Muller worked through three scoreless innings before coughing up a two-run homer to Nick Pratto fourth. The Royals plated another run in the fifth and two more in the sixth, chasing Muller from the contest. His one punchout was his lowest total in any start this season and he's now sporting a pedestrian 21:18 K:BB through 34 frames. Muller will carry a 6.62 ERA into his next outing, which is projected to be a road matchup with the Yankees next week.

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• Athletics' Kyle Muller: Roughed up again

  Rotowire Apr 24, 2023

  Muller (0-2) took the loss Sunday, allowing four runs on seven hits and four walks over five innings in against the Rangers. He struck out three. Muller struggled once again Sunday, giving up at least seven hits for the third straight start while increasing his season ERA to 7.23. He couldn't handle the top of the Rangers' lineup, giving up a three-run home run to two-hole hitter Robbie Grossman in the second inning and letting leadoff man Marcus Semien reach safely three times. Through five starts, Muller has seen his velocity dip down to 92.8 mph from 94.3 mph last season, a concerning fact considering his inability to generate swings-and-misses consistently.

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• Athletics' Kyle Muller: Chased early in tough outing

  Rotowire Apr 18, 2023

  Muller dropped to 0-1 after allowing six earned runs on 13 hits and two walks over four innings in Monday's 10-1 loss to the Cubs. He punched out three batters in the outing. Muller coughed up two runs through three innings before the Cubs broke the game open in the fourth. He was tagged with six hits in that frame, including three RBI singles. After allowing just three runs through his first 10.2 innings, Muller has given up 12 runs in his last two starts, spiking his ERA to 7.23. He'll carry a 14:9 K:BB into his next start, which is scheduled to be on the road against the Angels next week.

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• Athletics' Kyle Muller: Throws 95 pitches in no-decision

  Rotowire Apr 5, 2023

  Muller completed 5.2 innings against Cleveland on Wednesday, allowing two runs on four hits and three walks while striking out five batters. He did not factor in the decision. Muller breezed through five scoreless frames, but he departed after allowing back-to-back baserunners with two outs in the sixth. Domingo Acevedo came on in relief, and he gave up a two-run double, with both tallies being charged to Muller. Despite the disappointing ending, this was nonetheless another positive step for the southpaw, as it built upon his one-run, five-inning outing Opening Day. Muller is by no means a must-roster player in fantasy, but he's become a more intriguing pickup with his pair of solid outings to start the campaign.

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• Athletics' Kyle Muller: Named Opening Day starter

  Rotowire Mar 24, 2023

  Muller has been named the Athletics' Opening Day starter for their March 30 matchup against the Angels, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports. It wasn't even a sure thing Muller was locked into a rotation spot prior to this announcement, but the A's don't exactly have any good options for the assignment. The left-hander has been hit and miss this spring, posting a 5.65 ERA and 10:3 K:BB over 14.1 innings of work. Muller has some fantasy potential but should probably be viewed as a streaming option initially.

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• Athletics' Kyle Muller: Mixed bag in spring

  Rotowire Mar 19, 2023

  Muller is 1-2 with a 5.65 ERA, 1.60 WHIP and 6:3 K:BB across 14.1 innings over four Cactus League appearances (three starts). The offseason trade acquisition's Athletics debut Feb. 26 against the Brewers went smoothly, with Muller firing a pair of scoreless innings during which he allowed two hits and a walk. However, the towering southpaw has pitched to plenty of contact during his subsequent three trips to the mound, surrendering 10 runs (nine earned) on 18 hits, two walks and a hit batsman. Muller has been in contention for a back-end rotation spot with Drew Rucinski and JP Sears, and Steve Stockmar of MLB.com notes the big lefty's five-inning, 57-pitch outing against the Reds on Saturday caught the eye of manager Mark Kotsay. "He came out that first inning and really pounded the zone with his fastball," Kotsay said postgame. "I think he's recognizing the importance of the fastball and got through a full five innings. I thought he did a good job."

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• Braves' Kyle Muller: Sent back down

  Rotowire Sep 28, 2022

  Muller was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett on Wednesday. The southpaw was productive during Tuesday's start in Washington, allowing two runs on six hits and a walk while striking out four in 4.2 innings. However, he'll head back to the minors as part of a move to make room for Silvino Bracho on the active roster. Muller spent most of the 2022 season at Gwinnett and posted a 3.41 ERA and 1.18 WHIP in 134.2 innings over 23 starts.

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• Braves' Kyle Muller: Named Tuesday's starter

  Rotowire Sep 26, 2022

  Muller will start Tuesday's game against the Nationals, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. Muller joined Atlanta's taxi squad Monday and will be recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett a day later to make a late-season start in the majors. The southpaw gave up nine runs in 7.2 innings over two starts for Atlanta earlier in the season, but it's possible that he also makes a start next week in Miami if he performs relatively well Tuesday.

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• Braves' Kyle Muller: Trending toward start Tuesday

  Rotowire Sep 26, 2022

  Muller joined Atlanta's taxi squad Monday and is expected to be formally recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett to start Tuesday in Washington, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. Atlanta looks set to temporarily expand their rotation to six men with a week and a half left in the regular season, paving the way for Muller to rejoin the big club for the third time this season. The 24-year-old southpaw hasn't been especially effective over his prior two spot starts with Atlanta this season, but he's been one of the International League's more dominant arms in 2022, compiling a 3.41 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 159:40 K:BB in 134.2 innings. With a strong showing Tuesday, Muller could earn himself another spot start early next week in Miami.

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