Oakland Athletics pitcher Mitch Spence improved to 4-2 in Tuesday's 3-0 win over the Rays. Spence pitched 5 1/3 innings, allowing just one hit and one walk with four strikeouts. The 26-year-old started the season in the bullpen but has made three consecutive starts, compiling a solid 2.08 ERA with 12 strikeouts in 13 IP. He will need some time to get stretched out and his first two starts lasted 4 2/3 IP and three IP. This may limit Spence's fantasy value in the short term, but he could become an interesting fantasy option if he continues to pitch well. He will be tested in his next projected start, which will be a tough matchup at the Braves. Fantasy managers should wait to see more from Spence before trusting him and should wait until he draws a more favorable matchup.

Oakland Athletics right-hander Mitch Spence will make the start for Friday's series opener against the Kansas City Royals. Spence last pitched on Monday against the Houston Astros, giving up two runs on two hits (one homer) while walking one and fanning one in just two-thirds of an inning. The 26-year-old former Rule 5 pick will be making his first major-league start on Friday in a tough matchup, so we would recommend avoiding him as a streamer in deeper fantasy leagues. The former 10th-round selection of the New York Yankees in 2019 out of South Carolina Aiken has allowed 13 runs (12 earned) on 21 hits (two homers) while walking seven and striking out 22 in 25 1/3 relief innings so far in his rookie season. Spence will essentially be an opener for the A's on Friday, with Kyle Muller likely being the bulk reliever out of the bullpen.