Neal elected to become a free agent Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Neal was removed from the 40-man roster in Oakland on Wednesday and did not accept an outright assignment to Triple-A Las Vegas. The 34-year-old reliever made it back to the majors this season for the first time since 2018, but he ultimately struggled to a 6.67 ERA in 27 innings with the Athletics.

Oakland outrighted Neal to Triple-A Las Vegas on Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Neal passed through waivers unclaimed after being designated for assignment. He will remain part of the organization for now but can elect to become a free agent. The 34-year-old right-hander struggled to a 6.67 ERA, 1.63 WHIP and 25:14 K:BB over 27 innings of work this season with the Athletics.

The Athletics recalled Neal from Triple-A Las Vegas on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Neal holds a miserable 7.66 ERA and 1.75 WHIP through 22.1 major-league innings this season, but the A's will bring him up from the minors to add a fresh arm to their bullpen. Easton Lucas was optioned to Triple-A in a corresponding move.

Neal was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas on Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Neal gave up three runs while retiring just one batter in Tuesday's loss to Toronto. He's one of a few moves the Athletics made Wednesday as they reshape their pitching staff.

Neal retired one batter and was charged with three earned runs on three walks over a 19-pitch relief appearance in Tuesday's 7-1 loss to the Blue Jays.

EDGE Analysis

Neal had made five-inning starts in his past two appearances for Oakland, but he returned to the bullpen to begin the week with the Athletics opting to go with Luis Medina, Ken Waldichuk and JP Sears as their starters for the series with Toronto. The Athletics still have an opening in the five-man rotation, but Neal and Kyle Muller could be passed over for the role in favor of Mason Miller (elbow), who may be ready to return from the 60-day injured list this weekend.

Neal came away with a no-decision Wednesday in Oakland's 5-4 loss to Seattle, giving up three runs on three hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out six.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander made only one real mistake, but Teoscar Hernandez blasted it into the left-field bullpen for a three-run homer in the third inning. Neal has given the A's five innings and over 80 pitches in each of his first two turns in the rotation, but he's also served up three homers and issued five walks during those 10 frames. The 34-year-old should get at least one more start, which lines up to come at home early next week against the Blue Jays, but he could be the most likely candidate to get bumped to the bullpen when Mason Miller (elbow) rejoins the staff in September.

Neal is scheduled to start Wednesday's game against the Mariners in Seattle.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander will get another turn through the rotation after he picked up his first big-league win since 2016 while holding the White Sox to four runs (two earned) on five hits and three walks over five innings in his first start of the season Aug. 25. Though his outing against the White Sox was enough to earn him a second straight start, Neal may not have much staying power in the Oakland rotation if his performance takes a step back in Seattle. The Athletics could get star rookie Mason Miller (elbow) back from the 60-day injured list in early September, and Neal could be one of the Oakland starters most at risk of losing his rotation spot as a result.

Neal (1-0) picked up the win in Friday's 12-4 victory over the White Sox, giving up four runs (two earned) on five hits and three walks over five innings. He struck out two.

EDGE Analysis

The 34-year-old righty wasn't exactly sharp -- four of the five hits off Neal went for extra bases, including homers by Lenyn Sosa and Eloy Jimenez -- but he got plenty of run support and lasted just long enough to qualify for the win in his first start at the big-league level this season. Neal tossed 87 pitches (53 strikes) and likely did enough to stick in an A's rotation in need of healthy arms. If he stays on turn, Neal's next start appears ticketed for next week in Seattle.

Neal is listed as the Athletics' probable starting pitcher for Friday's game against the White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field.

EDGE Analysis

With Luis Medina (finger) and Freddy Tarnok (calf) both recently landing on the injured list, Neal will get a chance to stake his claim to one of the vacant rotation spots. Between two stints on Oakland's 26-man active roster this season, Neal has made all seven of his appearances out of the bullpen, logging an 8.25 ERA and 1.92 WHIP across 12 innings. He previously made nine starts with Triple-A Las Vegas this season and covered 3.1 innings in his most recent extend relief appearance for Oakland on Aug. 20, so he should be relatively stretched out compared to most pitchers transitioning from the bullpen to the rotation. Even so, Neal could struggle to reach the five innings that he would need to hit Friday in order to qualify for a win.

Oakland selected Neal's contract from Triple-A Las Vegas on Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Neal has allowed three earned runs in 3.1 innings of work this season at the major-league level, and he hasn't been much better on the farm. The 34-year-old right-hander figures to operate in long relief in his return to the Athletics, though there is an open rotation spot.