Manaea didn't factor into the decision in Monday's contest between the Athletics and the Angels. He allowed four runs on seven hits and three walks while fanning one in 2.2 innings.

EDGE Analysis

Manaea has not completed five innings in any of his four starts and has been struggling so far, giving up four earned runs in three of those outings. Things have not gone as expected for the 28-year-old, who owns a 9.00 ERA and 1.87 WHIP -- both career-worst marks by a wide margin -- ahead of this next scheduled start Aug. 16 at San Francisco.

Manaea allowed four runs on six hits and a walk while striking out five over 3.1 innings versus the Rangers on Wednesday. He did not factor in the decision.

EDGE Analysis

Manaea was on the hook for the loss until Austin Allen hit a go-ahead homer for the Athletics in the seventh inning. The 28-year-old Manaea has struggled to mitigate the scoring in his three starts this year -- he's got an 8.03 ERA and 1.46 WHIP over 12.1 innings. The southpaw will try to right the ship Monday on the road against the Angels.

Manaea (0-2) was charged with the loss against the Mariners on Friday after surrendering five runs (three earned) on six hits and striking out four across 4.1 innings.

EDGE Analysis

Much like his last outing, Manaea came out strong for a few innings before suddenly losing his command. The 28-year-old retired the first nine batters until the fourth frame, when Seattle unleashed four hits, including a two-run double by Kyle Seager and an RBI single by Austin Nola. The Mariners continued to chip away in the fifth with another pair of hits before Manaea was pulled. Both his baserunners soon scored (unearned) runs at the hands of a throwing error by reliever J.B. Wendelken. On the bright side, Manaea did not issue any walks. The southpaw has now given up nine runs (seven earned) across nine innings so far this year. He'll look to bounce back Wednesday against Texas.

Manaea (0-1) was tagged with the loss during Saturday's 4-1 defeat against the Angels. He allowed four runs on five hits while fanning three in just 4.2 innings of work.

EDGE Analysis

Manaea couldn't complete the fifth inning and left the contest after giving up three runs on back-to-back RBI doubles to Andrelton Simmons and David Fletcher. Manaea will attempt to bounce back in his upcoming start on the road against the Mariners on July 31.

Manaea, who allowed three runs on four hits and recorded four strikeouts over five innings in Monday's exhibition loss to the Giants, came away very pleased with his slider, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports. "I thought it was awesome," Manaea said of the slider. "Judging everything on how it looked from my perspective and how the swings looked, I'm pretty close to being able to backdoor it and just pitch off of that. For now, I'm extremely happy with how it's turned out and how I feel with it."

EDGE Analysis

Manaea was able to retire the final 10 batters he faced after an uneven performance over the first pair of frames, and he came very close to his target of 65 pitches. Gallegos reports Manaea deployed the slider on 22 occasions overall Monday, continuing a focus on developing the pitch that dates back to spring training. The left-hander did top out at just 89 mph with his fastball, but Manaea shrugged off the middling velocity by expressing confidence in his ability to overcome it with good pitch sequencing. The 28-year-old lines up to make his first regular-season start Saturday against the Angels in the second installment of the season-opening four-game set, and he's expected to be limited to 75-85 pitches.

Manaea has been named the starter for Monday's exhibition game against the Giants, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Manaea is arguably considered a co-ace of the staff alongside the hard-throwing Frankie Montas, but this news furthers the notion the latter will get the Opening Night call next Friday against the Angels. Manaea will tune up for what is likely a start in the second game of the season July 25 by opening Monday evening's exhibition at the Oakland Coliseum, although Melvin emphasized "things could change leading up" to next week.

Manaea, who is fully participating in the Athletics' summer camp workouts, is considering using a mask during games this season, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports. "I might use a face mask," Manaea said. "I don't know if we're required to wear it on the field, but I might as well just try it out and see what it's like. At least for a game."

EDGE Analysis

The 28-year-old is considered the de facto ace of the Athletics' staff after putting together a dominant five-game sample at the end of 2019 following his return from shoulder surgery. Manaea explains he'd consider using the mask not only for his own safety, but with the hopes it will encourage other players to wear one as well. The southpaw was able to maintain a regular throwing program in the Arizona area while play was paused, and he feels he's at the point where he can throw the equivalent of about three innings, a level he'll look to build up from in forthcoming intrasquad games.

Manaea posted a 14.09 ERA, 1.83 WHIP and .378 BAA across 7.2 innings over three Cactus League appearances before spring training was suspended.

EDGE Analysis

The unsightly numbers over the small sample belie the fact Manaea actually got some productive work in before play was paused. Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports the left-hander diligently worked on developing his slider with the help of the legendary Randy Johnson, and he did manage to record 10 strikeouts despite also pitching to plenty of contact at times. The refining of a pitch always carries the potential of generating some ugly spring lines, so the southpaw's struggles could at least be partly attributed to his attempt to augment his arsenal.

Manaea recorded six strikeouts and allowed four earned runs on four hits over three innings in a Cactus League split-squad loss to the Reds on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

The line underscores what a mixed bag Manaea's start was, but the left-hander, who continued to refine his slider during the outing, was pleased with the work he got in, noting he "made some competitive pitches and they [Indians hitters] took some good swings on them," according to Martin Gallegos of MLB.com. Two of those hacks came from Scott Schebler and Matt Davidson, who tagged Manaea for a double and three-run home run, respectively. Through three spring starts, the 28-year-old now sports an unsightly 14.90 ERA, although he also has 10 strikeouts through 7.2 innings.

Manaea started a Cactus League split-squad win over the Indians on Saturday and allowed two earned runs on four hits across three innings. He struck out two.

EDGE Analysis

Manaea was coming off a forgettable Cactus League debut Monday versus the Brewers, one in which he allowed six earned runs across just 1.2 innings. The left-hander had struggled some with the location of his slider, a pitch he's been heavily focused on this offseason and spring. Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports Manaea was much sharper Saturday with the help of a fastball that hit 93 mph on multiple occasions, and due to a grip adjustment suggested to him by pitching coach Scott Emerson during a recent bullpen session, one that turns the slider into a hybrid cutter. Manaea deployed the offering approximately 10 times across his 48 pitches and plans to continue refining it during his remaining exhibition starts. "It's a little bit harder," Manaea said of the new cutter. "I was throwing it at 85 mph and I've never thrown a slider before at 85. It was cool. Really just trying to get where I feel like I have that explosiveness. It was a big step in the right direction."