Rucinski (back) had his $5 million team option for 2024 declined by the A's, Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 reports.

EDGE Analysis

Rucinski underwent lumbar spine surgery in August and is expected to miss part of the 2024 campaign, although a specific timeline for his return isn't clear. Given his 9.00 ERA and 6:14 K:BB over 18 innings in 2023, along with ample time missed with knee issues, Rucinski's option probably wasn't going to be exercised even if he had been healthy.

Rucinski (knee/back) underwent lumbar spine surgery in Los Angeles on Tuesday, the team's official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Already ruled out for the season back in mid-July, Rucinski took the first official step toward a return to full health with Tuesday's procedure. The right-hander's offseason figures to be dominated by recovery and rehabilitation, and it remains to be seen how quickly he bounces back given he'll turn 35 in late December. Rucinski's return stateside after four successful seasons overseas in the KBO was a disappointment, as he also sustained a left knee injury and pitched to a 9.00 ERA and 2.28 WHIP across his four starts for the Athletics.

Rucinski (knee/back) is set to undergo season-ending back surgery, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Rucinski was already on the 60-day injured list with a multitude of ailments including a left knee injury and he'll now see his 2023 campaign come to a premature ending. The right-hander will finish the season with a 9.00 ERA and 2.28 WHIP with six strikeouts over 18 innings in four starts with the Athletics.

Rucinski will get an MRI on his left hip and lower back after reports showed degenerative changes, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Rucinski was originally placed on the injured list with a stomach issue, and then suffered a low grade MCL in his right knee. Now it appears things have unfortunately spread for the southpaw. Rucinski isn't eligible to come off the 60-day injured IL until after the All-Star break, but a clearer timeline should be announced after the results of the MRI are made public.

Oakland transferred Rucinski (illness/knee) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day injured list Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

This move clears out a 40-man roster spot for Yacksel Rios, who is joining the A's bullpen. Rucinski originally landed on the 15-day IL in late May due to a stomach illness and then recently suffered a low-grade MCL sprain in his right knee. He won't be eligible for activation until late July.

The Athletics announced Sunday that Rucinski has improved in his recovery from a gastrointestinal illness, but he's now recovering from a low-grade MCL sprain of his right knee, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Rucinski suffered the injury during a recent bullpen session and will now be barred from throwing for 2-to-3 weeks before he's cleared to resume ramping up again. Prior to landing on the shelf, Rucinski made four starts and was lit up to the tune of a 9.00 ERA and 2.28 WHIP in 18 innings. He could be facing an uphill battle to make it back from the 15-day injured list prior to the All-Star break, and Rucinski may be relegated to a bullpen role even if he makes it back before mid-July.

Rucinski was placed on the 15-day injured list with a stomach illness Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

The move was made retroactive to Wednesday (May 17), so the right-hander is eligible to return June 1, though the A's are off that day. In his absence, James Kaprielian was recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas and will start Sunday against the Astros.

Athletics manager Mark Kotsay said Rucinski is no longer lined up to start Sunday's game in Houston and is instead expected to take the hill Monday in Seattle, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Oakland will use Thursday's off day to reshuffle the rotation, with Kyle Muller moving ahead of Rucinski in the pitching order to stick on a four-day rest schedule between starts. As a result of the change, Rucinski will miss out on a two-start week, though it's unlikely many fantasy managers were including him in lineups after he's gone 0-4 with a 9.00 ERA, 2.28 WHIP and 6:14 K:BB in 18 innings through his first four outings. Though he's tentatively in line to get the start Monday in Seattle, Rucinski could be the odd man out of the rotation as soon as Paul Blackburn (finger) is cleared to return from the 15-day injured list.

Rucinski (0-4) allowed five runs on six hits and five walks over 3.2 innings while taking a loss against the Diamondbacks on Monday.

EDGE Analysis

Most of the damage against Rucinski came via the long ball, as Geraldo Perdomo and Lourdes Gurriel each ripped two-run homers against him. Rucinski continues to struggle with his command and he's now sporting an ugly 6:14 K:BB through 18 innings. His ERA jumped to 9.00 and he's given up at least five runs in each of his four MLB starts this season. Rucinski is currently lined up for a tough matchup in Houston this weekend.

Rucinski (0-3) took the loss Tuesday, allowing seven runs (six earned) on six hits and three walks over five innings in a 10-5 loss to the Yankees. He struck out two.

EDGE Analysis

Though Rucinski managed to make it through the first two innings without a blemish, he could not bring the early success into the third, walking Jose Trevino and Aaron Hicks to open up what would become a five-run inning. Despite allowing five runs in the inning, Rucinski did not allow a single extra-base hit, instead giving up four singles, a fielders choice and a sacrifice fly. The rest of the damage came in the seventh, where Gleyber Torres launched a two-run homer that plated Anthony Rizzo. Rucinski picked up his third loss in as many starts, dropping his ERA on the season to 8.16. Considering Rucinski has struck out just six batters in 14.1 innings of work, the right-hander should remain firmly out of fantasy considerations.