The Athletics released Newcomb on Saturday.
Newcomb was DFA'd by Oakland on Tuesday after he allowed seven earned runs in 10 innings with the major-league team. He's been relatively successful in Triple-A, posting a 3.22 ERA in 36.1 innings over the past two seasons, so he shouldn't have trouble securing a minor-league deal. However, he would likely need to show sustained success in Triple-A before getting another chance in the big leagues.
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Athletics' Sean Newcomb: Designated for assignment
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The Athletics designated Newcomb for assignment Tuesday.
Newcomb made just seven appearances last year for Oakland and it seems that it will be the same this year as well. After posting a 6.30 ERA across 10.0 innings in seven games for Oakland, the 31-year-old will be looking to be claimed elsewhere. In a corresponding move, Tyler Ferguson was recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas on Tuesday.
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Athletics' Sean Newcomb: Gets unusual win Friday
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Newcomb (1-0) picked up the win Friday against the Twins after picking off Austin Martin for the final out of the eighth inning.
It was the first time in Athletics history a pitcher recorded a victory without officially facing a batter, as Newcomb was able to escape the two-out, two-on jam he inherited from Lucas Erceg with his pick-off throw. The quick two-pitch outing and win represent a much-needed reprieve for the veteran left-hander, who'd surrendered five earned runs on four hits and three walks over the 3.1 innings covering his previous two appearances.
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Athletics' Sean Newcomb: Reinstated from IL
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The Athletics reinstated Newcomb (knee) from the 60-day injured list Tuesday.
Newcomb has been on the injured list all season due to irritation in his left knee, but he has now been given the green light to return to Oakland's bullpen after making four rehab appearances. The 30-year-old southpaw gave up two earned runs in six innings during his assignment but will likely be given low-leverage opportunities as he gets used to facing big-league hitters once again. Brady Basso was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas in a corresponding move.
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Athletics' Sean Newcomb: On rehab assignment
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Newcomb (knee) allowed two runs over one inning in his first rehab appearance with Triple-A Las Vegas on Wednesday.
Newcomb had his first rehab outing over the weekend with the Arizona Complex League Athletics before moving up to a higher affiliate. Making his way back from left knee inflammation, Newcomb will probably need a couple more rehab appearances before Oakland adds him to their active roster.
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Athletics' Sean Newcomb: Sim game on tap
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Newcomb (knee) is slated to throw a simulated game Friday at the Athletics' minor-league complex in Arizona, MLB.com reports.
The veteran left-hander has yet to pitch this season due to knee irritation, but he's been in a throwing progression since the latter portion of April and appears set for the next step of his rehab program. If the sim game goes well Friday, Newcomb could soon progress to what will likely be a fairly lengthy rehab assignment, due to how long he's been sidelined.
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Athletics' Sean Newcomb: To begin throwing progression
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Newcomb (knee) is set to begin a throwing progression in coming days, MLB.com reports.
The left-hander has been shut down from throwing since the final week of spring training, and he'll likely be in store for a lengthy rehab assignment whenever he's deemed ready for that step. For the time being, the fact he'll soon pick up a ball again is encouraging and seemingly leaves Newcomb on pace to be ready to return from the 60-day injured list well before the All-Star break.
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Athletics' Sean Newcomb: Lands on 60-day IL
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The Athletics placed Newcomb on the 60-day injured list Thursday with left knee inflammation.
Newcomb had knee surgery last September but made four appearances this spring, so he evidently must have suffered a setback if a 60-day IL stint was deemed appropriate. It's not clear whether the Athletics plan to bring the left-hander back as a starter or reliever once he's healthy.
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Athletics' Sean Newcomb: Will start season on IL
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Newcomb will start the 2024 season on injured list due to left knee irritation, MLB.com reports.
Newcomb underwent surgery on his lateral meniscus in his left knee this past September, but he was able to make his spring debut March 13 against the Royals. However, the left-hander is still not ready and will miss the start of the 2024 season. In addition to Newcomb, the Athletics will also be without Luis Medina (knee) and Ken Waldichuk (elbow) to begin the season.
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Athletics' Sean Newcomb: Makes spring debut
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Newcomb (knee) made his Cactus League debut in Sunday's 6-3 win over the Royals, striking out four over two scoreless innings while working around two hits and one walk.
Newcomb's integration into the spring pitching schedule was delayed while he completed his recovery from the surgery he underwent on his left knee last September, but he looked sharp in his two-inning appearance Sunday. Though Newcomb could be built up for a starting role over the final two weeks of the spring, he still looks set to miss out on a spot in the Opening Day rotation. Even if that's the case, Newcomb could still be included on the Opening Day roster as a long reliever.
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Athletics' Sean Newcomb: Slightly behind schedule
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Newcomb (knee) is slightly behind schedule at the start of Athletics camp, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.
Newcomb had surgery on his left knee in September and on his right knee in December and is still working his way back into shape from those procedures. At this point, he should not be at risk of being unavailable for Opening Day. Newcomb is likely pegged for a long relief role.
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Athletics' Sean Newcomb: Undergoes right knee surgery
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Newcomb underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee Wednesday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.
Newcomb also required surgery on his left knee in September, but he is expected to be fully recovered from both procedures by the time spring training opens in February. The 30-year-old left-hander posted a 3.00 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 17:9 K:BB over 15 innings (two starts, five relief appearances) last season when healthy. He projects to operate in a swingman role for the Athletics in 2024.
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Athletics' Sean Newcomb: Shifted to 60-day IL
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Newcomb (knee) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Wednesday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.
The transaction clears a spot on the 40-man roster for Joey Estes. Newcomb is done for the season following left knee lateral meniscus surgery but is expected to be ready for spring training.
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Athletics' Sean Newcomb: Shelved with sprained knee
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Newcomb was placed on the 15-day injured list Sunday with a sprained left knee.
Newcomb's move to the IL most likely spells an end to his season. After getting a call-up from Triple-A Las Vegas in late August, Newcomb made seven appearances (two starts) with Oakland, posting a 3.00 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 17:9 K:BB in 15 innings. In a corresponding move, the Athletics selected Joe Boyle's contract from Triple-A in advance of his scheduled start Sunday versus the Padres.
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Athletics' Sean Newcomb: Awarded another start
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Newcomb is listed as the Athletics' starting pitcher for Friday's game against the Padres in Oakland.
Because he had initially been working out of the bullpen following his Aug. 23 call-up from Triple-A Las Vegas, Newcomb was on a limited pitch count this past weekend, when he was called upon to make a spot start against the Rangers. He held his own in a tough matchup with a playoff contender, striking out five while allowing no runs on one hit and two walks over four innings. Newcomb was lifted after 62 pitches against the Rangers but should be able to push his count up closer to 80 in his second turn through the Oakland rotation Friday.
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Athletics' Sean Newcomb: Tosses four scoreless frames
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Newcomb allowed one hit over four scoreless innings in a no-decision against Texas on Saturday. He walked two batters and struck out five.
Newcomb hadn't pitched more than 2.1 frames in any of his five appearances coming into Saturday, so his workload was kept under control despite his effectiveness. The left-hander ended up tossing 62 pitches (41 for strikes) before turning the contest over Kyle Muller. Newcomb appears to be getting a look in Oakland's rotation, per Martin Gallegos of MLB.com, so he'll likely continue to build up his pitch count moving forward. He's been outstanding since getting called up from the minors Aug. 23, allowing just one run on three hits while posting a 15:6 K:BB over 12 innings.
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Athletics' Sean Newcomb: Impressive in relief appearance
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Newcomb fired two scoreless innings in a win over the White Sox on Friday, allowing no hits and one walk while recording three strikeouts.
Making his second appearance for the Athletics after a promotion from Triple-A Las Vegas on Wednesday, Newcomb was once again impressive while firing 28 of his 42 pitches for strikes. The veteran left-hander, once a 12-game winner as a starter with Atlanta back in 2018, figures to continue drawing plenty of multi-inning assignments in Oakland down the stretch and could certainly see his fair share of hold opportunities and decisions in the process.
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Athletics' Sean Newcomb: Gets call-up to Oakland
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The Athletics selected Newcomb's contract from Triple-A Las Vegas on Wednesday.
After being acquired from the Giants on Monday, Newcomb was initially assigned to Las Vegas but didn't make an appearance for the Triple-A affiliate before getting the call to the Oakland bullpen. He'll be available for Wednesday's game against the Royals as a multi-inning option behind right-hander Adrian Martinez, who isn't likely to work deep into the contest for what will be his first start of the season. Newcomb compiled a 3.16 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 40:20 K:BB in 31.1 innings at Triple-A Sacramento this season prior to the Giants trading him.
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Athletics' Sean Newcomb: Acquired by Athletics
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The Athletics acquired Newcomb from the Giants on Monday in exchange for Trenton Brooks.
Newcomb posted a 3.16 ERA and 40:20 K:BB over 31.1 innings this season at Triple-A Sacramento. Now a full-time reliever, the left-handed Newcomb will report to Triple-A Las Vegas for the time being but could get another shot at the big-league level with the Athletics eventually.
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Giants' Sean Newcomb: Reaches NRI deal with San Francisco
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Newcomb and the Giants agreed Monday on a minor-league contract that includes an invitation to MLB spring training, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.
Once one of the more promising young left-handers in baseball, Newcomb has struggled to throw strikes over the past three seasons. He posted an 8.78 ERA in 20 appearances last season with a 24:15 K:BB in 22.2 innings. The southpaw will get a chance to win a spot in the San Francisco bullpen, but is just as likely -- if not more so -- to begin the 2023 season with Triple-A Sacramento after the Cactus League comes to a close.
