The Oakland A’s made a notable roster move, designating left-hander Ken Waldichuk for assignment to clear a spot on the 40-man roster for newly acquired utility man Jeff McNeil, who arrived in a trade from the Mets.
Waldichuk, who turns 28 in January, was once viewed as a promising arm in the Yankees’ farm system. He came over to Oakland in the 2022 trade that sent Frankie Montas and Lou Trivino to New York-a deal that, at the time, looked like a key piece of the A’s rebuild.
Waldichuk flashed some potential during his debut stint in 2022, making seven starts and posting a 4.93 ERA with a solid 22.6% strikeout rate and a respectable 6.8% walk rate. It wasn’t dominant, but there were enough flashes to suggest he could be a part of the A’s long-term pitching plans.
But the momentum didn’t carry into 2023. Waldichuk’s ERA climbed to 5.36 over 141 innings, and while he stayed healthy through that campaign, consistency eluded him.
Then came the biggest setback: Tommy John surgery in May of 2024. He hasn’t pitched in the majors since.
After returning from the injured list in July, he was optioned to the minors, where he struggled to regain form. In limited action this past season, he posted an 8.17 ERA and walked nearly 16% of the batters he faced-a clear sign that command and feel were still a work in progress post-surgery.
Despite the rough numbers, Waldichuk remained in the A’s plans just enough to agree to a deal for 2026, avoiding arbitration with a salary of $825,000. That’s slightly above the league minimum, reflecting his Super Two status and the potential Oakland still saw in him-at least until now.
The DFA process typically runs for seven days, but with the holiday freeze in effect between Christmas and New Year’s, the clock pauses. That gives the A’s a little more time to gauge interest around the league.
While Waldichuk’s recent results don’t jump off the page, he still has minor league options remaining and could be an intriguing flier for teams looking to bolster their pitching depth. A lefty with past swing-and-miss stuff and a bit of upside-especially once further removed from surgery-could be worth a look for clubs with a 40-man slot to spare.
If he clears waivers, Waldichuk wouldn’t be able to elect free agency. He doesn’t have the required three years of service time, nor has he been outrighted before. In that case, the A’s could stash him in the minors and continue the rehab-and-rebuild process without occupying a roster spot.
It’s a tough break for a pitcher who, not long ago, looked like a possible rotation piece for the future. But in today’s game, where pitching depth is gold and comeback stories are always in demand, Waldichuk’s journey might not be over just yet.