Boyle (back) started for Triple-A Las Vegas on Thursday and allowed four earned runs on three hits and two walks without recording an out.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander located only half of his 26 pitches for strikes before getting the hook. The one silver lining appears to be that Boyle didn't have any residual physical issues, but given the on-field results, he doesn't seem close to being activated from the IL.

Boyle (back) is set to begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Las Vegas in coming days, the Associated Press reports.

EDGE Analysis

Boyle completed a "two-up" bullpen session Sunday that apparently went well, given the news of a rehab assignment serving as his next step. The right-hander was placed on the injured list May 6 after being lifted from a start against the Marlins a day earlier due to a back strain, and he may need only one or two rehab starts before being deemed ready for activation.

Boyle (back) is slated to throw a "two-up" bullpen session Sunday, MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander will take an important step in his recovery with the session, which will see Boyle participate in separate throwing sessions with rest periods in between. If Boyle proves capable of tolerating the activity well, he could potentially be activated when first eligible Tuesday.

The Athletics placed Boyle on the 15-day IL on Monday due to a lower-back strain.

EDGE Analysis

Boyle's move to the IL comes one day after he struggled in his start against the Marlins on Sunday, when he allowed four runs on one hit and three walks over one inning en route to taking his fifth loss of the season. According to MLB.com, Boyle initially attempted to pitch through back pain in the start, but the issue "got progressively worse" as the game went along. Mitch Spence covered 4.2 innings out of the bullpen and could be a candidate to enter the rotation when Boyle's next turn comes up this weekend in Seattle.

Boyle, who was lifted after one inning in Sunday's loss to the Marlins, was suffering from lower-back pain that got worse the more he threw during the frame, MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Boyle's performance clearly seemed to be affected by his physical limitations, as he allowed four earned runs on a hit and three walks over his sole inning on the mound. Manager Mark Kotsay confirmed Boyle would undergo an MRI on Monday to determine the severity of the injury, at which point the right-hander's chances of making his next scheduled start Saturday against the Mariners will become clearer. Per Sonja Chen of MLB.com, right-handers Osvaldo Bido and Joey Estes, both of whom have big-league experience and are on the 40-man roster, are candidates to be called up from Triple-A Las Vegas should Boyle miss at least one turn through the rotation, although she adds Oakland has long relievers Mitch Spence and Kyle Muller as options on the big-league roster.

Boyle (2-5) yielded four runs on a hit and three walks over one inning Sunday, striking out one batter and taking a loss against Miami.

EDGE Analysis

Boyle narrowly escaped the first frame after coughing up a three-run shot to Nick Gordon. It was the shortest start of the year for Boyle, and he threw just 16 of 35 pitches for strikes. The command has been a constant problem for him this season; Boyle has registered a 29:23 K:BB with a 7.16 ERA through 27.2 innings. As of now, he's in line for a start in Seattle next weekend.

Boyle (2-4) yielded a run on one hit and four walks over five innings Monday, striking out four and earning a win over the Pirates.

EDGE Analysis

Boyle was charged with a run on a wild pitch in the first inning but otherwise didn't face much trouble. However, his command still continues to cause issues; he threw just 45 of 91 pitches for strikes, including only six whiffs. Boyle now owns a chaotic 28:20 K:BB with a 6.08 ERA through 26.2 innings (six starts). He's completed over five innings just one time this season. Boyle's next matchup is currently projected to be at home against the Marlins this weekend.

Boyle (1-4) took the loss Wednesday, giving up two runs on three hits and four walks over three innings as the A's fell 7-3 to the Yankees. He struck out six.

EDGE Analysis

The rookie right-hander needed 85 pitches (50 strikes) to record only nine outs, and while Boyle continues to miss bats, he isn't offering much else from a fantasy standpoint. He's issued at least three free passes in four of his five starts to begin the season, stumbling to a 7.06 ERA, 1.80 WHIP and 24:16 K:BB through 21.2 innings. He lines up to make his next outing at home early next week against the Pirates.

Boyle (1-3) allowed seven earned runs on five hits and four walks while striking out three batters across six innings during Friday's 10-2 loss versus Cleveland.

EDGE Analysis

Boyle was able to keep Cleveland's offense relatively quiet for the first four innings, allowing only a Tyler Freeman two-run home run in the second inning. However, he was lit up for another five runs in the fifth and the 24-year-old righty now owns a lofty 7.23 ERA and 1.71 WHIP across his first four starts, giving him very little fantasy appeal even in the deepest of leagues.

Boyle (1-2) suffered a tough-luck loss Saturday versus the Nationals. He yielded one run on five hits and one walk while striking out five in five innings of work.

EDGE Analysis

Just one free pass from the big right-hander was an encouraging development after he surrendered seven of them across his first two outings. He nonetheless was dealt his second loss, as the Athletics offense was unable to do much against MacKenzie Gore and the Nationals' bullpen. Boyle has 15 strikeouts over 12.2 frames this season, but unless he can string together multiple outings like this one where his control is adequate, the downside will continue to outweigh the upside.