The Oakland Athletics are preparing for key pitching starts this spring, as two critical arms finally get ready to take the mound. Luis Medina is scheduled to make his first spring appearance on Monday against the San Diego Padres after missing all of 2025 due to Tommy John surgery recovery. Following him, Aaron Civale will make his spring debut on Tuesday in a pre-World Baseball Classic game against Team Brazil, providing a significant boost to the Athletics‘ pitching staff as they head into the season.
Aaron Civale’s Journey and Role with the Athletics
Signed last month to a one-year, $6 million contract, 30-year-old Aaron Civale arrives with extensive major league experience. His career began with the Cleveland Guardians, and over the last three seasons, he has played for a variety of teams, including the Tampa Bay Rays, Milwaukee Brewers, Chicago Cubs, and Chicago White Sox. Last season, Civale recorded a 4.85 ERA across 23 appearances, including 18 starts, pitching 102 innings. The Athletics view him as a reliable innings eater who can stabilize the rotation and potentially serve as a trade asset if roster adjustments arise later in the season.
Stabilizing the Rotation and Relief Support
Oakland struggled significantly in 2023 due to a lack of starter endurance, contributing to their disappointing season. Civale’s ability to provide consistent innings is a welcome change, offering the team much-needed depth. His presence can lighten the burden on the bullpen by allowing starters to go five or more innings regularly, which is crucial in preserving tired relief pitchers throughout a long season. Combined with Oakland’s improving offense, the team hopes to stay competitive even without having top-tier pitching prospects like Tarik Skubal or Paul Skenes ready to lead the rotation.
Pitching Profile and Managerial Confidence
Throughout his career, Civale has maintained a 4.14 ERA and has been known as a fly-ball pitcher, with a 60.5% fly ball rate. His strikeout rates hover around the league average—21.6% for his career and 20.2% last year—but what sets him apart is his ability to limit walks, maintaining a 6.6% walk rate. This control helps reduce opponents’ scoring opportunities. Manager Mark Kotsay has publicly confirmed Civale as one of three pitchers guaranteed a rotation spot for the 2026 season, highlighting the veteran’s importance amid competition for the remaining starting roles.
Competition for Rotation Spots and Upcoming Debuts
Alongside Civale, left-hander Jacob Lopez is seen as a strong contender for one of the other rotation positions. Lopez had a noteworthy performance in his first year with the Athletics last season and is expected to make his spring debut soon. With a few rotation spots still up for grabs, the team is closely watching pitching performances in the coming days to finalize their starting staff heading into the regular season.
Looking Ahead to the Season
Aaron Civale’s upcoming spring debut marks a crucial step in solidifying the Athletics’ pitching foundation. His veteran presence and ability to provide steady innings could help the A’s avoid the bullpen fatigue that plagued them in previous seasons. As the team balances emerging talent with experienced arms like Civale and Lopez, they aim to surprise critics and improve their competitiveness throughout 2026. The rotation’s development and Civale’s performance will be key indicators of the Athletics’ fortunes this season.
“He is one of the three pitchers guaranteed a spot in the A’s rotation entering the 2026 season.” ?Mark Kotsay, A’s Manager
Luis Medina will also be making his spring debut today behind Mason Barnett. Medina hasn’t pitched in a game since July of 2024.
— Jason Burke (@ByJasonB) March 2, 2026
