Hendriks (3-0) fired two-thirds scoreless innings in which he allowed two hits and a walk in a win over the Rays on Wednesday. He struck out two.

EDGE Analysis

It was an eventful 18-pitch appearance for Hendriks, who entered the game with a pair of runners on in the seventh and ultimately allowed both to score on a double and infield single, respectively. However, both runs went on starter Brett Anderson's ledger, and although Hendriks was technically charged with a blown save, he was also the pitcher of record in the victory. The veteran is putting together what is arguably a career-best season, as he's now carrying a 1.69 ERA and 1.15 WHIP across 37.1 innings.

Hendriks allowed two runs on two hits with two walks and a strikeout in one inning during a no-decision as an opener against the Angels on Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

The 30-year-old's second chance to open this season didn't go so well, as he snapped his 14.2 scoreless innings streak. It was also the first time since April 16 that Hendriks yielded two walks in an outing. Despite the poor appearance, Hendriks is still 2-0 with a 1.76 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 34 strikeouts in 30.2 innings this season.

Hendriks will serve as the opener Wednesday against the Angels.

EDGE Analysis

Hendriks has worked as an opener once this season, firing a scoreless inning while allowing one hit and striking out one in that appearance. He'll likely pitch one or two innings Wednesday before giving way to Daniel Mengden, who figures to cover the bulk of the innings.

Hendriks, who fired two clean innings during which he recorded two strikeouts in a loss to the Indians on Sunday, now sports a 1.54 ERA and 1.11 WHIP across 23.1 innings on the season.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran reliever was also effective as an opener in Saturday's win, allowing a hit and recording a strikeout over a scoreless first inning. Hendriks has rattled off six straight scoreless appearances, and he's slightly bumped up the average of his fastball over last season (94.7, compared to 94.3) while posting a career-high strand rate (88.0 percent). While his first month-plus has been highly encouraging, Hendriks' career body of work -- he's only posted a sub-4.00 ERA twice -- lends credence to the notion a regression to some degree could be looming.

Hendriks will work as an opener in Saturday's game against the Indians.

EDGE Analysis

Aaron Brooks was set to start Saturday and will still likely be counted on to eat the most innings for the A's, but Hendriks will be on the mound when the game gets underway. Hendriks owns a 1.77 ERA and 22:9 K:BB in 20.1 innings over 16 appearances out of the bullpen this season.

Hendriks was credited with his second spring victory in an exhibition win over the Giants on Monday, allowing a hit, a walk and a wild pitch over an inning while recording a strikeout.

EDGE Analysis

Hendriks led off a nine-pitcher parade for the Athletics during the latest installment of the Bay Bridge series between the teams. The veteran right-hander is projected for a key middle-relief role in 2019 after posting a 4.13 ERA and 1.46 WHIP across 25 appearances (eight starts) last season.

Hendriks said Sunday that he lost around 20 pounds during the offseason and feels good heading into spring training, Jane Lee of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hendriks relayed that he followed a ketogenic diet over the winter, perhaps with the hope of improving his conditioning in anticipation of more usage this season. The lefty covered only 49.1 innings in 48 appearances between the Athletics and Triple-A Nashville in 2018 but looks primed for added responsibilities after emerging as one of manager Bob Melvin's preferred opening pitchers in games. When used in those scenarios in the second half of last season, Hendriks typically worked an inning or less before Melvin turned the game over to the bullpen once a lefty hitter stepped in for the opposition.

Hendriks signed a one-year, $2.15 million fully guaranteed deal with Oakland on Friday, avoiding arbitration, Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hendriks will be arbitration eligible for one more season before hitting the free-agent market. The 29-year-old appeared in 25 games and made eight "starts" -- which doesn't include taking the mound for the AL Wild Card Game in the Bronx -- this past year, logging a 4.13 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 8.2 K/9 across 24 innings. He finished the regular-season strong and will be a vital cog in the Athletics' bullpen in 2019.

Hendriks will take the mound as Oakland's opening pitcher for Wednesday's AL Wild Card Game against the Yankees, Jane Lee of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

As expected, Hendriks will serve as the "opener" with the club choosing to go the route of a "bullpen game" instead of having a regular starter toe the rubber. Out of the 11 pitchers on the Athletics' roster for this contest, Edwin Jackson is the only typical starter that will be available Wednesday night. Don't expect to see Hendriks remain in the game past the first inning, as he's only recorded more than three outs twice in his last 16 appearances. The right-hander hasn't given up a run in his previous 11.1 innings and holds a 0.71 WHIP with nine strikeouts during that span.

The Athletics are expected to use Hendriks as their opening pitcher in Wednesday's American League wild-card game against the Yankees, Jane Lee of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Oakland lacks a bona fide ace, so it appears the team will treat Wednesday's contest as a "bullpen game," allowing manager Bob Melvin to take advantage of his cadre of high-quality relief options to quiet a power-packed Yankees lineup. Hendriks served as an opener in eight of his 25 regular-season appearances, logging a 2.08 ERA and 7:3 K:BB across 8.2 innings in those outings.