Kaprielian to make first big league start

Recent injuries have opened up a chance for the A’s to take a close look at one of their highly touted prospects.

Right-hander James Kaprielian, Oakland’s No. 10 prospect per MLB Pipeline, will make his first big league start on Wednesday against the Red Sox at Fenway Park. A move to officially add Kaprielian to the A’s active roster was made prior to Wednesday’s game. Catcher Aramis Garcia was activated from the injured list and right-hander Jordan Weems and catcher Austin Allen were optioned to Las Vegas.

“This is a big time in his career,” A’s manager Bob Melvin said of Kaprielian. “He’s getting an opportunity to come here and start. This is something he’s been longing for. A real opportunity for him.

“Probably his best opportunity to pitch in a role that he’s used to pitching in for us, since he’s been in our organization.”

Left-hander Jesús Luzardo (left hand/pinkie fracture) and right-hander Mike Fiers (sprained right elbow) both hit the 10-day injured list in the span of a week, cutting the A’s starting staff from six members to four. Though Monday’s off-day could have kept the starters on their regular turn through the rotation, Melvin said he preferred that they get an extra day of rest.

Considered the key piece acquired from the Yankees in the Sonny Gray deal at the 2017 Trade Deadline, it took nearly three years for Kaprielian, who was selected 16th overall by New York in the 2015 MLB Draft, to appear in a Minor League game for the A’s due to various injuries, including Tommy John surgery that caused him to miss the ‘17 and ‘18 seasons. In 2020, the 27-year-old righty finally got his first taste of big league action with two relief appearances for Oakland.

What has the A’s excited about Kaprielian is the resurgence his fastball velocity showed in his brief time with the club last season. After he sat around 91-93 mph with the heater for most of ‘19, Kaprielian was throwing as hard as 96 mph out of the A’s bullpen with a sinker that averaged 95.1 mph over his two outings last year.

In his first start for Triple-A Las Vegas last week, Kaprielian allowed two runs on eight hits and one walk with five strikeouts over 4 2/3 innings.

Finally healthy, this could be his best shot to seize the moment and develop into the starter the A’s envisioned him to be when they traded for him.

“The velo is back, and his breaking ball seems to be a lot sharper,” Melvin said. “He’s got a starter’s complement. When we made that trade, this was a guy that we expected to be in our rotation sooner than later. Injuries set him back some, but this is a great opportunity for him.”

Injury notes

• Chad Pinder (left knee sprain) played shortstop for Triple-A Las Vegas on Monday night and went 0-for-4 at the plate. He’ll appear in two more games for Vegas, with the A’s targeting his return to the club at some point during their upcoming three-game series in Minnesota, which begins Friday night.

• Left-hander A.J. Puk (biceps strain) will throw to hitters one more time before beginning a rehab assignment with Triple-A Las Vegas later this week.