
OAKLAND — Liam Hendriks will technically make his third start in seven days Friday night when the A's open a three-game series with the Rangers.
Hendriks, a relief pitcher, isn't actually considered the A's starter, but rather the “opener,” with right-handed pitcher Chris Bassitt expected to take over in the second inning.
“I understand the reasoning for it,” Hendriks told NBC Sports California. “It's still obviously a little new. ... All we're trying to do is keep us in the game early and hand it over to the rest of the bullpen, and let them go to work.”
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The basic strategy behind “bullpenning” is to start a relief pitcher so that the starting pitcher can avoid facing the top of the lineup the first time through. Pitchers tend to be less effective when they face batters a second or third time.
The Rays have employed the tactic for much of this season, but it's still a work in progress for Oakland.
“I think any time you do something new like that, there's some uncomfortableness to it,” A's manager Bob Melvin acknowledged. “Based on the fact we've done it another time now and there was success with it the second time, I think everybody's probably a little more comfortable with it. It's a product of losing as many starters as we have, and trying to go about it a little bit differently.”
Hendriks, 29, missed nearly two months earlier this season following surgery to remove a cyst from his right hip. The right-hander struggled upon his return and was designated for assignment in June with a 7.36 ERA, after posting a 3.99 ERA during his first two seasons in Oakland.
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“At the end of the day, I'm just here to do whatever they want me to do,” Hendriks said. “This is a good way for me to get innings, which is what I need right now to prove myself to this team and show that I'm healthy and ready to go.”
Hendriks cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Nashville in early July. Since then, he has made great strides in his recovery, significantly increasing his velocity. In his last two "starts," Hendriks' average fastball velocity hovered around 96 miles per hour, according to Fangraphs.
“The stuff is better than it's been all year,” added Melvin. “He's acclimated to pitching an inning. He's done a nice job with it and that's the reason he's starting tonight.”
With health on his side, Hendriks is trying to prove he can contribute to a playoff run.
“It's nice being back,” he said. “I think it was just gaining the confidence back and realizing this is where I need to be and proving to the A's that this is what I can do.”