Diekman (2-0) was credited with the victory in an extra-inning win over the Mariners on Friday, allowing an unearned run on one walk over an inning while also recording a strikeout.

EDGE Analysis

The southpaw notched his second victory in as many outings with an effective 15-pitch frame. Diekman notably allowed a run for the second consecutive appearance as well after sporting an unblemished ERA through his first 18.1 frames of the campaign, although Friday's was aided by a passed ball and scored by inning-opening baserunner Dee Strange-Gordon. The 33-year-old now boasts an 0.44 ERA and 0.98 WHIP across 20.1 innings alongside his two victories and 12 holds.

Diekman (1-0) secured the win in a victory over the Dodgers on Wednesday despite allowing an earned run on one hit over one inning while also recording two strikeouts.

EDGE Analysis

Tasked with preserving a 4-3 lead when he entered in the eighth inning, the normally reliable Diekman surrendered a one-out, game-tying solo home run to Edwin Rios. The veteran did bounce back in trademark form to record swinging strikeouts of Max Muncy and Will Smith, and he was subsequently afforded his first win of the campaign when Ramon Laureano slugged a go-ahead two-run blast in the top of the ninth and Liam Hendriks slammed the door on Los Angeles in the home half of the frame. The stumble aside, Diekman heads into the final days of the regular season with Wednesday's run as the only one he's allowed across 19.1 innings, a span during which he's also rang up an impressive 28 strikeouts.

Diekman secured his ninth hold during a win over the Astros in the first game of a doubleheader Tuesday, firing a scoreless sixth inning during which he allowed no hits or walks and recorded one strikeout.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran left-hander continued his season-long dominance, posting his 15th scoreless effort in as many appearances. Diekman has yielded a scant six hits over his 15 innings as well while posting an elite 12.6 K/9. The one qualm with his 2020 body of work has been his trademark control issues, which have led to a bloated 6.0 BB/9 that he's nevertheless successfully navigated to this point.

Diekman fired two scoreless innings in an extra-inning win over the Angels on Sunday, allowing a hit and a walk while recording three strikeouts.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran left-hander has been one of the most effective bullpen options for manager Bob Melvin all season, and Sunday, he notched six key outs while serving as a bridge to Joakim Soria and Liam Hendriks in the ninth and 10th inning, respectively. Diekman threw 24 of 32 pitches for strikes, extending his season-opening scoreless streak to 11 innings and 11 appearances.

Diekman was credited with his fourth hold in a win over the Astros on Saturday, allowing a hit and no walks over a scoreless eighth inning while also recording a strikeout.

EDGE Analysis

Diekman was exceedingly sharp, throwing nine of his 10 pitches for strikes while extending his season-opening scoreless streak to 6.2 innings over seven appearances. The hard-throwing left-hander is one of several veteran later-inning options for manager Bob Melvin that have thrived this season, leading to Oakland's bullpen sporting a 1.80 ERA and .195 BAA across a sample of 219 batters faced going into Sunday's action.

Diekman earned his second hold in a win over the Angels on Monday, firing a scoreless eighth inning during which he issued two walks and recorded three strikeouts.

EDGE Analysis

It was a bit of an adventure for the left-hander, who needed 23 pitches to navigate the frame thanks to the two free passes he issued. However, Diekman worked around his troubles by striking out the big-name trio of Shohei Ohtani, Justin Upton and Albert Pujols, the latter an inning-ending whiff with Mike Trout on second base. The 33-year-old Diekman has already logged three scoreless appearances across his first four games, and given early returns, manager Bob Melvin is likely to continue calling on him frequently.

Diekman, who's considered an at-risk player in the current health landscape due to a history of ulcerative colitis, is participating in summer camp and remains focused on playing in 2020, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports. "I want to play no matter what. The only way I won't play is if this [season] gets shut down," Diekman said. "It's going to be very hard for me to opt out now that I've pitched against hitters and we're here every day throwing bullpens. Everyone's competitive juices are flowing to the max right now, and everyone wants to play."

EDGE Analysis

The left-hander has been taking extra precautions in the early days of camp, keeping his distance from other players and throwing bullpen sessions in the visitors' bullpen. Diekman also threw a 20-pitch live batting practice Tuesday that featured a 10-pitch marathon against Ramon Laureano, a session that marked the southpaw's first time throwing off a dirt mound against hitters in four months. Diekman is also in the midst of incorporating a changeup, a pitch he's just getting a handle on and will continue to refine during the remaining build to the regular season.

Diekman is remaining regularly active at home while spring training is suspended but is also concerned about the possible risks in returning to play, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Diekman is playing catch regularly with his father and is also throwing bullpen sessions once per week, keeping his arm ready for a return to action that's beginning to look like more of a possibility. However, as much as the veteran southpaw is looking forward to getting the season started, he also has particular safety concerns, as he has a pre-existing condition in the form of ulcerative colitis. That could make him more vulnerable should he contract COVID-19, but nevertheless, he also expresses confidence the players association and owners will come up with a plan that will keep the MLB population safe if play is resumed.

Diekman, a southpaw who re-signed with the Athletics on a two-year, $7.5 million contract this offseason, is expected to frequently work against both right- and left-handed hitters this season, Shayna Rubin of The Mercury News reports. "There are times, especially for a guy like him, he just sees a clear lane against righties," manager Bob Melvin said. "And just sees the plate as opposed to throwing off the hitter."

EDGE Analysis

Diekman arrived via trade from the Royals on July 27 last season and generated a 4.43 ERA and 1.57 WHIP across 28 appearances. The southpaw was equally effective against batters of either handedness, holding both to a solid .303 wOBA and actually limiting right-handed bats to a lower batting average (.210) than he did same-handed hitters (.224). Melvin explains that Diekman's across-the-board effectiveness mainly stems from the fact he complements his mid-90s fastball with an extremely sharp breaking ball, a "biting slider" and a deceptive delivery. The 33-year-old could once again be an excellent source of holds, with Diekman having recorded a career-high 31 in 2019 and having produced double-digit tallies in that category in six of the last seven seasons.

Diekman signed a two-year contract with the Athletics on Tuesday with $7.5 million guaranteed, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Diekman's club option was declined by the Athletics in late October, but he will return to the team on a new two-year contract. Given his 76 appearances last season between the Royals and Athletics where he accumulated a 4.65 ERA and 1.42 WHIP, it wouldn't be surprising to see him take on a significant role in Oakland's bullpen again. Blake Treinen was non-tendered Monday, which could open up chances for late relief work in 2020.