Elephant Rumblings: Stripling, Blackburn set for returns

Happy Thursday Athletics Nation!

We got word yesterday that right-handed veteran Ross Stripling was set to be activated off the IL to make today’s start against the Los Angeles Angels:

Ross Stripling will start tomorrow against the Angels, Mark Kotsay told us. It’s possible Paul Blackburn returns and is inserted back into the rotation as well during the series.

— Jessica Kleinschmidt (@KleinschmidtJD) July 24, 2024 That should add a boost to the starting pitching. Stripling was added over the offseason on a rare trade with the San Francisco Giants. The idea was that Stripling could be a veteran presence for a depth chart full of youngsters, and maybe even pitch well enough to become a trade…