Oakland Athletics manager Mark Kotsay mentioned that relief pitchers Sean Newcomb (knees) and Freddy Tarnok (hip) are "slightly behind" the rest of the team's pitchers at spring training as they return from surgeries. Both pitchers are progressing well on slower programs and may not pitch in Cactus League games right away. Newcomb, 30, had left-knee surgery in September and surgery on his right knee in December. The left-hander threw just 15 innings for the A's in 2023 and is ticketed for a long-relief role in 2024. Stay away from him in fantasy. Tarnok, 25, had right-hip surgery in August and will be an option for Oakland's starting rotation when he's healthy. He allowed eight earned runs while walking 11 and fanning 14 in 14 2/3 innings over five outings (one start) in 2023.

Oakland Athletics rookie right-hander Freddy Tarnok will make the second start of his rookie season on Tuesday on the road against the St. Louis Cardinals. Tarnok made his first career major-league start on July 26 against the San Francisco Giants and only went 2 2/3 innings, allowing three earned runs on three hits (one homer) while walking one and striking out four. The 24-year-old's last two appearances have been in a bulk-relief role, and he's looked decent, giving up two earned runs on five hits (one homer) while walking five and striking out seven in 6 1/3 innings. Tarnok does have 14 punchouts in his first 14 2/3 big-league frames, but he's not going to be a very popular fantasy streamer in the matchup against St. Louis.

Oakland Athletics pitcher Freddy Tarnok has been named the opener for Wednesday's game against the San Francisco Giants. The 24-year-old has thrown 5 2/3 innings over two relief appearances since being called up shortly after the All-Star break. Tarnok is the A's No. 5 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline. The assumption is that the team wants Tarnok to be a starting pitcher down the road. Possibly, the A's are just easing him into the role. Regardless, he'll start Wednesday's game, but left-hander Hogan Harris will likely pitch a bulk of the innings.

Oakland Athletics pitching prospect Freddy Tarnok (shoulder) made another minor-league rehab appearance for Triple-A Las Vegas on Thursday and didn't allow a hit or a run while walking two and striking out two in 2 2/3 innings of work. The club's No. 5 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, made his first rehab outing in the Arizona Complex League. The 24-year-old right-hander didn't have great command on Thursday, but the most important thing is his fastball velocity looked normal and he is looking healthy. If he doesn't have any setbacks with his shoulder over his next couple outings, the A's could be ready to call him up for his big-league debut. Command could be an issue at the next level, but there's no denying his swing-and-miss stuff.

The Atlanta Braves recalled right-handed pitcher Freddy Tarnok on Tuesday. The 23-year-old has so far split the season between the organization's Double-A and Triple-A affiliates. Most recently, he made five starts for Atlanta's Triple-A club, logging a 2.03 ERA, a 3.89 FIP, 26 strikeouts, and seven walks in 26.2 innings of work. He'll give the National League East franchise another rotation option alongside the likes of Charlie Morton, Kyle Wright, Spencer Strider, and Jake Odorizzi.