4 years agoOakland Athletics pitcher A.J. Puk will throw a simulated game on Tuesday, according to manager Bob Melvin. He will pitch two innings at the team complex and will throw another simulated game on Saturday if all goes well. "Hopefully he's into a regular game," following the simulated work, Melvin added. The former top-prospect hasn't pitched at the major league level since 2019 and has battled injuries throughout his career. He underwent Tommy John surgery back in 2018 and missed the entire 2020 season with a shoulder issue, which later required surgery. It's not a surprise that the A's are taking it a little slower with the 25-year-old southpaw given his injury history. He's got a shot to make the Opening Day roster if he can make it through camp without any setbacks. The team has insisted that he's a candidate to land a starting job out of camp but a bullpen role is the more likely outcome initially. He's worth a late-round flier in deeper fantasy leagues given his prospect pedigree.--Jon Mathisen - RotoBaller
Source: Matt Kawahara of The San Francisco Chronocile