The Athletics traded Spence to the Royals on Thursday in exchange for A.J. Causey.

EDGE Analysis

After being DFA'd by the A's on Tuesday, Spence will recapture a 40-man roster spot by moving to Kansas City. The 27-year-old reliever turned in a 5.10 ERA and 1.44 WHIP across 84.2 innings last season and will be in the running for a spot in the Royals' Opening Day bullpen. He has two minor-league options remaining, however, so there is a chance he opens the year at Triple-A Omaha instead. Alec Marsh (shoulder) was placed on the 60-day IL in a corresponding move.

The Athletics designated Spence for assignment Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

With Scott Barlow and Aaron Civale officially signing one-year deals with the A's on Tuesday, Spence and Grant Holman (finger) will both lose their place on the 40-man roster. Spence made 32 appearances (eight starts) with the Athletics in 2025, turning in a 5.10 ERA and 1.44 WHIP to go with a 66:26 K:BB through 84.2 innings. Assuming he clears waivers, the 27-year-old righty will open the season at Triple-A Las Vegas.

Spence (3-6) took the loss Sunday against the Pirates, allowing seven runs (six earned) on nine hits and two walks over 3.1 innings. He struck out one.

EDGE Analysis

Spence struggled out of the gate Sunday, allowing a pair of two-out runs in the opening inning before the Pirates added on with a two-run homer in the second. It's the first start and second appearance for Spence since he was recalled from Triple-A earlier this month. Overall, the right-hander sports a 4.96 ERA with a 1.41 WHIP and 65 strikeouts across 81.2 innings this year.

Spence will start Sunday's game against the Pirates, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Spence threw 3.2 innings out of the bullpen in an appearance Tuesday, but he'll make at least one spot start Sunday. He's worked as a traditional starter for nearly the entire season, so he should be able to pitch deep into the game if he's effective.

The Athletics recalled Spence from Triple-A Las Vegas on Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

He'll join the 28-man active roster in place of right-hander Scott McGough, who was optioned to Las Vegas in a corresponding move. Spence had been working out of the rotation at Las Vegas following his July 10 demotion, turning in a 6.21 ERA, 1.83 WHIP and 31:12 K:BB in 29 innings. The Athletics have a full rotation at the moment, so Spence looks like he'll be ticketed for a long-relief role for the time being. However, if Mason Barnett falters in his start Wednesday against the Red Sox, it wouldn't be surprising if Spence replaced him in the rotation the next time his turn comes up.

The Athletics optioned Spence to Triple-A Las Vegas on Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

The transaction comes one day after Spence was torched for eight runs over six innings in a loss to Atlanta. Spence was not scheduled for another start before the All-Star break, so the A's have replaced him with some bullpen protection in the form of Osvaldo Bido. It's possible Spence gets another chance in the big-league rotation after the All-Star break, although he won't be eligible to be recalled until July 25.

Spence (2-5) took the loss against Atlanta on Wednesday, allowing eight runs on nine hits and one walk while striking out five batters over six innings.

EDGE Analysis

Spence's outing began in ominous fashion, as Ronald Acuna led off the contest with a solo home run against him. That set the tone for a disastrous outing by the right-hander, as he surrendered a career-worst five homers and eight earned runs. To his credit, Spence was at least able to preserve the Athletics' bullpen a bit by tossing six frames, but this was a continuation of a recent poor stretch for the 27-year-old. Spence has lost each of his past four starts, posting a 7.84 ERA and 1.60 WHIP while giving up nine long balls over that span.

Spence (2-4) took the loss against Tampa Bay on Wednesday, allowing four runs on seven hits while striking out five across five innings. He did not issue a walk.

EDGE Analysis

Spence was in control through the first five innings, with his lone blemish coming in the second when he gave up an inside-the-park home run to Jake Mangum. Spence entered the sixth looking to collect his first quality start of the season, but things quickly got out of hand after giving up a solo homer to Josh Lowe before yielding a two-run long shot to Yandy Diaz just two batters later. Spence has given up four earned runs in two of his last three outings, and in his six starts he sports a 3.64 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 23:7 K:BB across 29.2 innings. He is slated to start against Atlanta at home next week, which might be his last turn in the rotation before the All-Star break.

Spence (2-3) took the loss against the Yankees on Friday, allowing three runs (two earned) on three hits and four walks while striking out five across five innings.

EDGE Analysis

Spence retired the side in the first , but he gave up one run in each of the next three innings, including a solo homer to Jazz Chisholm in the second. It was a solid outing for Spence, as he generated 13 whiffs while tossing 89 pitches (54 strikes), but he couldn't avoid the loss as the A's were blanked by Tyler Warren and the Yankees' bullpen. Spence has made five starts since moving into the Athletics' rotation in early June, going 1-2 with a 2.92 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 18:7 K:BB across 24.2 innings. He's tentatively slated to face the Rays on the road next week.

Spence (2-2) took the loss against Cleveland on Saturday, allowing four runs on eight hits and one walk while striking out three batters over 4.2 innings.

EDGE Analysis

Spence's downfall was the second frame, when he gave up all four of his runs and six of his eight hits. Outside of that, he notched three 1-2-3 innings and just two singles. The four runs were a season-worst mark for Spence, who came into Saturday having allowed just two runs over 17 frames across his previous four starts. He'll try to get back on track in his next start, which is tentatively scheduled to be a tough road matchup versus the Yankees.