With everything that has happened over the course of the 2021 season, and the plethora of injuries that the Oakland A’s have endured, it is easy to forget some of the players still on the roster. That is especially the case if they have spent most of the season on the Injured List, as has been the case with Mike Fiers.
Now, with a little over three weeks left in the season, there is a Fiers sighting. He is set to throw to live batters on Friday, the next step in his recovery process.
Mike Fiers will throw to hitters on Friday, Melvin said.
— Matt Kawahara (@matthewkawahara) September 8, 2021
Mike Fiers throwing for Oakland A’s
Fiers had been signed as a depth option for the A’s rotation at the end of the offseason. He had started the season on the Injured List, being activated in time to step into the rotation due to injury. He lasted just 9.1 mediocre innings before landing on the IL himself.
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This is not the first time that Fiers seemed to be progressing towards a return. He had begun a throwing program previously, only to be shut down when he continued to have arm issues. It had gotten to the point where Fiers seemed to be a sunk cost, yet another A’s free agency move that would be utterly useless in the 2021 season.
But there is a chance he could return. If Fiers is able to ramp up his throwing enough to pitch an inning or two, it would not be a surprise to see him activated for the final week or so of the season. Given the A’s need for help in the bullpen, Fiers could have a role in that time frame.
The question is whether or not it will matter. As the A’s have continued to fall back in both the AL West and the Wild Card hunt, their chances of reaching the postseason are dwindling more each day. Fiers is hardly the type of pitcher that inspires confidence that he can help turn the season around.
Mike Fiers is set to throw to hitters on Friday. Just in case anyone forgot, he is still a part of the Oakland A’s roster.