Athletics' Ken Waldichuk: Diagnosed with UCL, flexor damage
Rotowire
Waldichuk underwent a Tenex procedure on Oct. 17 and received a PRP injection on Oct. 24 after being diagnosed with a left UCL sprain and flexor strain.
Waldichuk felt discomfort in his pitching elbow following his final start of the season back on Sept. 29 and an MRI and doctor visit revealed the bad news. The left-hander has opted for a conservative treatment rather than Tommy John surgery, with the minimally invasive Tenex procedure designed to remove scar tissue, and the PRP injection aimed to promote healing. Waldichuk is currently limited to physical therapy, and his timeline for a throwing program is up in the air.
... See More... See Less
Athletics' Ken Waldichuk: Yields five runs in loss
Rotowire
Waldichuk (4-9) allowed five runs (four earned) on seven hits and three walks over five innings Friday, striking out three and taking a loss against the Angels.
Waldichuk tossed three scoreless frames before the Angels plated three runs in the fourth inning. It was just the second time in his last 10 outings he'd given up more than two earned runs. During that stretch, Waldichuk produced a 3.42 ERA and a 43:17 K:BB. He'll end the 2023 season with a 5.36 ERA and 132 punchouts over 141 frames.
... See More... See Less
Athletics' Ken Waldichuk: Turns in quality start
Rotowire
Waldichuk (4-8) allowed two runs on four hits and struck out seven without walking a batter over six innings to earn the win over the Tigers on Friday.
Waldichuk has two quality starts over four outings in September, and he also pitched six no-hit innings as a bulk reliever versus the Astros on Sept. 11. He's found some consistency with strong performances this month, lowering his ERA for the year to 5.29 with a 1.54 WHIP and 129:68 K:BB through 136 innings over 34 outings (21 starts). Waldichuk is likely set for one more appearance this season, which is tentatively scheduled to come on the road in Minnesota.
... See More... See Less
Athletics' Ken Waldichuk: Slated to start Friday
Rotowire
Waldichuk is listed as the Athletics' starting pitcher for Friday's game against the Tigers in Oakland, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.
In his most recent outing this past Sunday against the Padres, Waldichuik worked in tandem with starter Joe Boyle, with the former covering four innings to the latter's three. Both pitchers look as though they'll be part of the rotation against Detroit this weekend, as Boyle is listed as Oakland's starting pitcher for Saturday. The Athletics could change course and deploy an opening pitcher in front of Waldichuk, but either way, the 25-year-old southpaw is slated to cover the bulk of the innings Friday.
... See More... See Less
Athletics' Ken Waldichuk: Hit hard in Sunday's loss
Rotowire
Waldichuk dropped to 3-8 on the season while working in bulk relief in Sunday's 10-1 loss to the Padres, striking out two while allowing six runs on nine hits.
Waldichuk entered Sunday's action having allowed just one run over his last 16 innings, but he undid most of that good work in the series finale with the Padres. While entering the game after opener Joe Boyle tossed three scoreless frames, Waldichuk was lit up by the Padres. The nine hits Waldichuk allowed tied for the most he's given up in any outing this season. It's been a rough campaign for Waldichuk, who now sits at a 5.40 ERA, 1.58 WHIP and 122:68 K:BB in 130 innings. He could work in tandem with Boyle again when his next turn in the rotation comes up in the Athletics' series with the Tigers next weekend.
... See More... See Less
Athletics' Ken Waldichuk: Serving as primary pitcher Sunday
Rotowire
Waldichuk, who was originally slated for a conventional start Sunday against the Padres, will now serve as the primary pitcher behind opener Joe Boyle, who is expected to be called up from Triple-A Las Vegas, MLB.com reports.
Waldichuk served as a bulk reliever in his most recent appearance last Sunday against the Astros and turned in a gem, spinning a six-inning no-hit effort. The left-hander hasn't allowed more than two earned runs in an appearance of any kind since Aug. 1, generating a 1-0 record and 1.91 ERA over the 37.2 innings covering his subsequent seven outings. Given that Waldichuk is fully stretched out for a starter's workload, he could end up getting 5-to-6 innings Sunday, depending on how long Boyle stays in the game.
... See More... See Less
Athletics' Ken Waldichuk: Holds Astros hitless for six frames
Rotowire
Waldichuk (3-7) earned the win as Oakland's primary pitcher Monday, allowing one walk and striking out three batters over six scoreless and hitless innings against Houston.
Mason Miller worked as the Athletics' opener and held the Astros scoreless while tossing 45 pitches over two frames. Waldichuk followed and was even more impressive, allowing just two baserunners -- one on a hit-by-pitch and the other on a walk -- across six sterling innings. The southpaw didn't get credited with a quality start since he entered in the third frame, but he did nab his first victory since July 5. Waldichuk has been making a strong impression of late, allowing just one run over his past three outings covering 16 innings. He's posted a poor 9:9 K:BB but has given up just six hits over that stretch.
... See More... See Less
Athletics' Ken Waldichuk: Solid in no-decision
Rotowire
Waldichuk allowed four hits and three walks while striking out three over six scoreless innings in a no-decision versus the Blue Jays on Tuesday.
Waldichuk held his own, but the Athletics' bullpen couldn't do the same in a seventh-inning collapse. This was his first scoreless effort since June 29, and Waldichuk had allowed eight runs over 14.2 innings across his three previous outings. The southpaw is at a 5.63 ERA, 1.64 WHIP and 117:67 K:BB through 120 innings across 31 appearances (20 starts) this season. He's projected for a difficult road start in Houston early next week.
Waldichuk will start for the Athletics on Tuesday against the Blue Jays, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.
Waldichuk had seemed to be lined up for Monday's start, but the A's will push him back a day with Luis Medina (blister) coming off the injured list to start Monday. The left-hander has collected a 5.92 ERA, 1.67 WHIP and 114:64 K:BB over 114 innings for Oakland this season.
... See More... See Less
Athletics' Ken Waldichuk: Shaky control in no-decision
Rotowire
Waldichuk allowed one run on one hit and five walks while striking out three over four innings in a no-decision versus the Mariners on Tuesday.
Waldichuk threw just 52 of 91 pitches for strikes, and he also had a wild pitch and a balk. The inefficiency cost him a chance to pick up his first win since July 5. In his 10 outings since, he's walked multiple batters six times while limiting opponents to one run four times. Overall, he's at a 5.92 ERA, 1.67 WHIP and 114:64 K:BB over 114 innings through 30 appearances (19 starts). Waldichuk is tentatively lined up for an outing at home versus the Angels this weekend, though it may be a piggyback situation with Mason Miller (elbow) potentially ready to come off the 60-day injured list.
... See More... See Less
Athletics' Ken Waldichuk: Yields three homers in no-decision
Rotowire
Waldichuk allowed five runs on eight hits and no walks while striking out four batters over five innings in a no-decision against the White Sox on Thursday.
Waldichuk carried a 3-1 lead into the fifth frame, but he surrendered the lead by giving up four runs in that inning. Three of those came via the long ball, as Elvis Andrus tagged him for a solo homer and Luis Robert knocked a two-run shot. Altogether, Waldichuk gave up three home runs, the sixth time this season he's surrendered multiple long balls in a contest. The mediocre outing ended a strong three-start stretch in which the southpaw had posted a 2.70 ERA and 18:5 K:BB over 16.2 frames.
Athletics' Ken Waldichuk: Gives up two runs Saturday
Rotowire
Waldichuk allowed two runs on four hits and three walks while striking out seven over 5.2 innings in a no-decision versus the Orioles on Saturday.
Given the quality of opponent, Waldichuk did well to limit the damage to solo home runs by Austin Hays and James McCann in the fourth inning. Waldichuk has been steady in his last three outings, allowing five runs, 17 hits and five walks with 19 strikeouts over 16.2 innings. He's now at a 5.91 ERA, 1.68 WHIP and 107:59 K:BB through 105 innings over 28 appearances (17 starts) this year. The left-hander is projected for a road outing versus the White Sox in his next start.
... See More... See Less
Athletics' Ken Waldichuk: Solid in no-decision
Rotowire
Waldichuk did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing a run on seven hits and a walk over five innings in an 8-7 loss against Washington. He struck out four.
Waldichuk pitched well Sunday, allowing just one run in the opening inning before blanking Washington over his final four frames. However, the A's bullpen imploded in the ninth, allowing six runs to blow a 7-2 lead and leave Waldichuk with a no-decision. The 25-year-old southpaw has held opponents to two runs or fewer in three of his last four starts, though he still sports an unsightly 6.07 ERA with a 1.70 WHIP and 51:24 K:BB across 48.2 innings this season.
... See More... See Less
Athletics' Ken Waldichuk: Solid versus Rangers
Rotowire
Waldichuk allowed two runs on six hits and a walk while striking out seven over six innings in a no-decision versus the Rangers on Monday.
Waldichuk completed six innings for the second time this year, and he earned his second quality start. The southpaw contained the damage to a two-run double from Mitch Garver in the fourth inning. Waldichuk has given up 11 runs (10 earned) over 18.2 innings across his last four outings and has a 6.30 ERA, 1.71 WHIP and 96:55 K:BB through 94.1 innings overall. His next appearance is likely to be on the road versus the Nationals this weekend.
... See More... See Less
Athletics' Ken Waldichuk: Falters in start
Rotowire
Waldichuk (2-7) allowed four runs on a hit, three walks and a hit batsman while striking out five over 3.2 innings to take the loss Tuesday versus the Dodgers.
Waldichuk got through the order once without trouble, but the Dodgers rallied in the fourth inning. He's failed to complete five innings in any appearance since May 19, whether working as a starter or a reliever. The southpaw is now at a 6.52 ERA, 1.74 WHIP and 89:54 K:BB through 88.1 innings over 25 appearances (14 starts). Waldichuk is tentatively projected for a difficult home outing versus the Rangers next week.
... See More... See Less
Athletics' Ken Waldichuk: Steady as bulk reliever
Rotowire
Waldichuk allowed an unearned run on one hit and two walks while striking out six over 4.2 innings in a no-decision versus the Giants on Tuesday.
Facing the Giants' offense in its current state was likely a blessing for Waldichuk, who had given up 10 runs over 13.2 innings across his first four appearances this month. He still walked multiple batters for the fourth time in his last five outings, but he was able to successfully limit the damage. Waldichuk is now at a 6.38 ERA, 1.77 WHIP and 84:51 K:BB through 84.2 innings over 24 appearances (13 starts) this season. The southpaw is tentatively projected for a tough road matchup versus the Dodgers next week, though it's unclear if he'll start or pitch behind an opener.
... See More... See Less
Athletics' Ken Waldichuk: Struggles with control Wednesday
Rotowire
Waldichuk didn't factor into the decision against the Red Sox on Wednesday, allowing four earned runs on five hits and three walks over 4.1 innings. He struck out five.
Waldichuk worked up to 90 pitches despite not making it out of the fifth inning, as only 50 of his offerings found the strike zone. The left-hander started off on the wrong foot when he surrendered a two-run home run to Justin Turner in the first inning, and after holding Boston off the board for the next three frames, Waldichuk was chased after surrendering an RBI single to Rob Refsnyder in the fifth. The 25-year-old will be looking to reverse what is now a two-start rough patch the next time he takes the hill, as Waldichuk has pitched to a 7.88 ERA and 1.63 WHIP across the eight innings covering that pair of outings, albeit while also recording 10 strikeouts.
