GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Daulton Jefferies has appeared on the cusp for Oakland for two years. The right-hander from Cal made a fleeting debut in 2020 and five outings for the A’s last season as a swingman. Steady A’s rotations lessened his chance to play a larger role.
The rotation has spots to fill this spring. The trade of Chris Bassitt to the Mets leaves one vacancy, while James Kaprielian’s shoulder irritation could open another early in the season. A window exists for Jefferies and several other pitchers in A’s camp.
“It makes me want to be even more consistent and just try to carry myself like a big-leaguer and believe that I am a big-leaguer,” Jefferies said. “I’m really thankful and blessed to have the opportunity to have that spot and I’m going to do everything I can to push (manager Mark Kotsay’s) hand and push the front office’s hand to give me that spot.”
Jefferies, 26, made his first Cactus League start Saturday after making his first spring outing in relief. Over three innings against a Guardians lineup of mostly regulars, he showed good velocity on his fastball and characteristic command, throwing 39 of 55 pitches for strikes.
Jefferies struck out Myles Straw and Jose Ramirez, both looking, on 94 mph fastballs in his first inning. His fastball reached 95 mph in the first inning and 93 mph in the third. Four straight hitters singled off Jefferies in the third, three attacking his first or second pitch. He allowed six hits, all singles, struck out three and walked none.
“I felt really good,” Jefferies said. “Physically I felt like I could throw more, so that’s a positive feeling, especially working up and trying to be that fourth or fifth starter in the rotation. Just trying to get my innings in, pitches in, so building up was good.”
After an Aug. 1 spot-start last season, Jefferies rejoined the A’s in September and posted a 2.70 ERA in 10 relief innings before a flexor strain ended his season. Jefferies, who had Tommy John surgery in 2017, said Saturday that discomfort calmed after two weeks of rest and he kept a normal throwing program this offseason.
Brent Honeywell Jr., Paul Blackburn and Adam Oller appear to also be competing for rotation jobs and the A’s could also open with one or two starter-type pitchers in their bullpen to provide length early in the season, especially with 28-man rosters until May 2. The schedule could provide Jefferies two more Cactus League starts to build his pitch count before Opening Day.
“I feel like everything’s pretty consistent,” Jefferies said. “My velo is there, I’m ramping up pretty well, no hiccups, no setbacks. I can go out there and just pitch with confidence and knowing my arm’s going to feel good.”
Matt Kawahara covers the A’s for The San Francisco Chronicle. Email: mkawahara@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @matthewkawahara
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March 27, 2022 at 07:09AM
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A’s Daulton Jefferies sets sights on rotation spot: ‘I’m going to do everything I can’ - San Francisco Chronicle
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