The Athletics have moved right-hander Justin Sterner from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL after he underwent right knee surgery Friday. The procedure was a chondroplasty of the medial femoral condyle, and Sterner will begin his rehabilitation with no expectation of returning during the 2026 season. The move also opens a spot on Oakland’s 40-man roster for waiver claim Joe Rock.
Sterner, 29, was claimed off waivers from the Tampa Bay Rays in November 2024 and established himself as a reliable bullpen option for the A’s last season. He logged 65 innings with a 3.18 ERA, striking out 26.3% of opposing hitters while posting a 7.9% walk rate.
He initially looked just as effective in 2026, recording a 3.18 ERA through his first 34 innings along with a 25% strikeout rate and 5.9% walk rate. However, his performance deteriorated badly over his final 7⅓ innings, when he surrendered 13 earned runs. His strikeout rate dropped to 12.8% during that stretch while his walk rate climbed to 10.3%, pushing his season ERA to 6.12 before he landed on the IL with right knee chondromalacia.
Before being sidelined July 18, Sterner posted a 6.12 ERA and 1.38 WHIP with 40 strikeouts and 13 walks across 42.2 innings. Given the sharp decline in his performance shortly before the injury, it is possible the knee problem was already affecting him. Either way, he will now have to wait until 2027 for another opportunity to get back on the mound.
Sterner entered this season with 169 days of MLB service time and is currently positioned to enter 2027 with 1.169 years. Unless the next collective bargaining agreement significantly changes the rules, he could be in line for Super Two status after the 2027 season. He also has a minor-league option remaining, leaving open the possibility of another stint in the minors down the road.
The injury does not create a significant short-term setback for Oakland, which sits at 47-74 with the worst record in baseball. The A’s are using the remainder of the season to evaluate their roster, particularly a bullpen that lacks established experience. None of the eight relievers currently on the roster entered 2026 with at least three years of MLB service time.
With Sterner out for the year, Oakland can continue giving its younger pitchers opportunities down the stretch while determining which arms could become part of the club’s long-term plans.
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