Just In: Cleveland Guardians Claim Lefty From A’s

Cleveland Guardians Claim Left-Hander From Athletics

The Cleveland Guardians have bolstered their roster by claiming left-handed pitcher Matt Krook off waivers from the Oakland Athletics, following his recent designation for assignment.

Krook, who made three appearances with the A’s, pitched a total of 3.1 innings and gave up two earned runs, posting a 5.40 ERA. His last outing, a 1.1-inning appearance against the Los Angeles Angels, was the only time he allowed runs. Entering the game with a 7-5 score and the bases loaded, Krook quickly recorded two outs, even catching a runner attempting to score. However, he did allow an inherited runner to score due to a wild pitch, though he escaped further damage. Despite the minor setback, his performance was seen as solid under the circumstances.

With the A’s bullpen heavily taxed, Krook was sent back out for the ninth inning, where the Angels capitalized on a single, sacrifice bunt, and a double, scoring two runs before he was pulled.

At 30 years old, Krook was drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the fourth round of the 2016 MLB Draft and has since had stints with several teams, including the New York Yankees, Baltimore Orioles, and most recently the A’s. Earlier this season, he had the chance to pitch at Oracle Park, a moment he had dreamed of since being drafted by the Giants, reflecting on how his career path had taken unexpected turns.

This move to the Guardians offers Krook a fresh opportunity to make an impact at the major league level. Over the past three years, he has accumulated 8.1 innings of work across different teams, with a 16.20 ERA. However, he’s had a strong season in the minors, posting a 3.21 ERA over 14 innings of work. While he has struggled with walks, his slider has been a standout pitch, and his control showed noticeable improvement during his brief time with the A’s.

The Guardians have already optioned Krook to their Triple-A affiliate, the Columbus Clippers, with the hope that he will get more consistent opportunities to prove himself outside of the overtaxed bullpen role.