Right-handed pitcher Seth Elledge has inked a minor league agreement with the Athletics, as noted on his MLB.com profile’s transactions tracker.
Elledge, who will turn 28 later this month, was chosen in the fourth round of the 2017 draft by the Mariners and debuted in the majors with the Cardinals during the abbreviated 2020 season. While part of the St. Louis bullpen, Elledge recorded a 4.63 ERA across 11 2/3 innings in both the 2020 and 2021 campaigns. Although he boasts a respectable 24% strikeout rate in the majors, his control issues led to a troubling 14.4% walk rate, resulting in a subpar 4.90 FIP.
Following his designation for assignment by the Cardinals in late October 2021, Elledge has yet to return to the big league mound despite considerable movement across MLB teams in recent years. Prior to the 2022 season, he signed a minor league deal with the Braves, who promoted him to the big league roster that offseason instead of allowing him to become a minor league free agent. However, he was designated for assignment in early April without making an appearance.
In the subsequent months, Elledge underwent a series of transactions, including being claimed off waivers by the Mets and Tigers before ultimately clearing waivers with Detroit and choosing free agency in late June. Shortly after, he rejoined the Braves on a minor league contract. Although he was again selected to the roster and even placed on the active roster in July, he remained there for only a brief period without seeing any game time before once more being designated for assignment, electing free agency, and re-signing on a minor league deal.
Looking ahead, Elledge is expected to provide non-roster bullpen depth for the A’s at the Triple-A level, where he has recorded a 4.69 ERA with a solid 27.8% strikeout rate and a manageable 9.2% walk rate since the commencement of the 2022 season. With right-hander Alex Speas being the only healthy bullpen option on the 40-man roster who is not yet part of the club’s big league relief corps, Elledge could potentially earn a promotion to the big league roster if he positions himself as the next candidate among a group of non-roster veterans at Triple-A with the A’s, such as Vinny Nittoli and Gerardo Reyes. Currently, Oakland is relying on pitchers like Michael Kelly and Dany Jimenez to bolster the middle of the bullpen ahead of their late-inning arms, led by breakout closer Mason Miller.