Joe Boyle DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

The Tampa Bay Rays acquired right-handers Joe Boyle and Jacob Watters, outfielder Will Simpson and a compensation Round A draft pick from the Athletics on Saturday in exchange for left-hander Jeffrey Springs, according to sources. Boyle is the biggest piece headed back to Tampa. The 25-year-old had a 1.69 ERA in three starts in Oakland in his debut in 2023, but he wasn't as effective in 13 outings (10 starts) this past season, going 3-6 with a bloated 6.42 ERA (4.68 FIP), 1.72 WHIP and 56:40 K:BB in his 47 2/3 innings pitched in the big leagues. It didn't help he missed a month with a lower-back injury. Given the Rays' history with pitchers, Boyle could still be something special, but he won't be guaranteed to make the club's Opening Day roster out of spring training.

Oakland Athletics pitcher Joe Boyle allowed two hits over six innings in Monday's 3-0 win over the Tampa Bay Rays, striking out six. Boyle improved his record to 3-5 while walking three during his 104-pitch effort in his second start since being recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas. Monday matched his longest outing of the season, going six innings in an April 19 loss at the Cleveland Guardians. Boyle lowered his ERA to 6.21 and has a 1.47 WHIP over 37 2/3 innings while striking out 41 and walking 29. Fantasy managers will consider Boyle a risky start on Saturday when he faces a more imposing lineup in the Milwaukee Brewers.

The Oakland Athletics recalled right-hander Joe Boyle from Triple-A Las Vegas on Tuesday and designated right-hander Kyle Muller for assignment in a corresponding move. Boyle, who struggled to a 7.16 ERA and 1.73 WHIP in seven starts earlier this year at the big-league level, will make the start on Tuesday versus the hosting New York Mets at Citi Field. The 24-year-old will be making his first start for the A's since May 5, and while he had been better of late in the minors, he was sporting a 5.63 ERA for the Aviators in 38 1/3 innings on the farm. He's going to need to show much better command of his pitches to stay in Oakland's rotation moving forward, as he's walked a total of 57 batters in 66 innings this year in the majors and minors. Needless to say, we don't recommend streaming Boyle on Tuesday in New York.

Oakland Athletics right-hander Joe Boyle (back) allowed four runs on four hits while walking four and striking out three in 2 1/3 innings in his second minor-league rehab start for Triple-A Las Vegas on Wednesday. He threw 25 of his 43 pitches for strikes and averaged 100.1 mph with his four-seam fastball, which he threw 28 times. Manager Mark Kotsay said that Boyle feels like he has "turned a corner" with his back injury, which put him on the 15-day injured list on May 6. The 24-year-old didn't even record an out in his first rehab start last week, so Wednesday's outing was definitely an improvement. The A's are probably going to have Boyle make another rehab start or two, but the hard-throwing right-hander is nearing a return. Boyle had struggled in seven starts before his back injury cropped up, posting a 7.16 ERA and 1.73 WHIP with 29 K's and 23 walks in 27 2/3 innings for the A's.

Things could have gone better for Oakland Athletics right-hander Joe Boyle (back) in his minor-league rehab start on Thursday for Triple-A Las Vegas. Boyle was unable to record a single out in the outing, allowing three hits and four earned runs while walking two and striking out none to take the loss against Triple-A Tacoma. The 24-year-old threw only 26 pitches, with only half going for strikes. Boyle didn't encounter any setbacks with his back, but he's going to need to show more efficiency in another rehab start before he's an option to return to the big-league roster. He wasn't very good in seven starts (27 2/3 innings) with the A's this year before landing on the injured list, either, going 2-5 with a 7.16 ERA and 1.73 WHIP with 23 walks and 29 strikeouts. Control has been a real issue, as his four wild pitches lead the league.