MESA, Ariz. — The A’s finally got a good look at two of their starting rotation hopefuls in actual in-game action during Friday’s Cactus League opener against the Angels.
Things didn’t go too great for Daniel Mengden. Declared the front-runner for the No. 3 spot in the rotation by manager Bob Melvin earlier this spring, Mengden started the game for the A’s and was unable to escape the first inning. He was pulled after recording just two outs, allowing two runs on five hits and a walk.
Mengden had hoped to at least get through the inning, but with his pitch count at 33, Melvin made the call to the bullpen.