ARLINGTON, Texas — The A’s sent rookie starter Daniel Mengden back to the minors Tuesday, hoping the right-hander can regain some strength and rediscover the form he showed in his first few big league starts.
Mengden lasted just 4 2/3 innings Monday against the Rangers and was carrying a 9.00 ERA over his past five starts, with 17 walks over his past 23 innings. Manager Bob Melvin said Mengden appeared to wear down and lose some velocity toward the end of Monday’s outing, and Mengden acknowledged he’s felt some fatigue lately.
“My velocity was slowly dropping a little bit,” Mengden said, as he was preparing to leave Globe Life Park.