NEW YORK (AP) 鈥� The Athletics optioned pitcher Luis Morales to Triple-A Las Vegas on Tuesday, and manager Mark Kotsay said he hopes the 23-year-old right-hander regains his confidence after struggling with command.
The Athletics made the move after Morales went 0-2 with a 12.27 ERA in starts against Toronto and Houston.
鈥淲e talked a lot about performance and being something that we were really evaluating,鈥� Kotsay said before the opener of a three-game series against the Yankees. 鈥淭hese last two games, command has been a big issue for Luis.”
Morales made the opening day roster despite issuing 14 walks in 19 innings in five spring training starts.
鈥淲e鈥檙e going back to spring training 鈥� you don鈥檛 look at performance in spring training 鈥� but you look at the quality of the pitch-making and he didn鈥檛 have a great spring,鈥� Kotsay said. 鈥淲e felt like he could make the adjustment to being able to fix some mechanical things that he needs to work through.”
Athletics pitchers head into Tuesday’s game with 58 walks in nine games this season. Only the Astros have issued more.
Morales allowed three homers against the Blue Jays on March 29 and issued a career-high six walks on Saturday against Houston, while also allowing eight hits.
鈥淛ust the lack of confidence overall, too, you could see it the last start,鈥� Kotsay said. 鈥淪o, I think it鈥檚 a good reset for Luis. My expectation is he goes down and he gains his confidence back and he鈥檒l be back with us at some point.”
Morales signed with the Athletics in January 2023, during the international signing period. He was 4-3 with a 3.14 ERA in 10 appearances (nine starts). In those games, Morales issued 18 walks in 48 2/3 innings.
Morales was scheduled to start for the Athletics this weekend against the Mets. Kotsay did not say who will fill his spot in the rotation.
To replace Morales on the active roster, the Athletics purchased the contract of reliever Joel Kuhnel from Las Vegas. Kuhnel did not appear in the majors last season and is 4-3 with a 5.86 ERA in 82 career appearances with Cincinnati, Houston and Tampa Bay.
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