Mason Miller's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

The Oakland Athletics will place All-Star closer Mason Miller (finger) on the 15-day injured list on Thursday with a fracture of the fifth metacarpal (pinkie) in his left hand, according to a source. It's a non-pitching injury that Miller suffered after pounding a padded training room table in frustration following Monday night's win over the division-rival Houston Astros. The right-handed flamethrower was a long shot to be traded by next Tuesday's deadline, but this pretty much assures that Miller won't be going anywhere in 2024. Even though the injury isn't to Miller's throwing hand, the A's have no reason to rush him back in another lost season, so fantasy managers shouldn't be surprised if he misses more than two weeks. Until the dominant closer returns, Lucas Erceg should be expected to see most of the A's save opportunities.

Oakland Athletics closer Mason Miller recorded a win in his first All-Star Game appearance in Tuesday's 5-3 win over the National League. Miller pitched a scoreless fifth inning, tossing a 1-2-3 inning while striking out Shohei Ohtani and Trea Turner. To top it off, the 25-year-old threw the hardest recorded pitch in All-Star Game history, coming in at 103.6 MPH. Miller has been impressive on all accounts this season, converting 15 of 17 save opportunities with a 2.27 ERA, a 0.86 WHIP, and a ridiculous 46.7% strikeout rate. His 100.9-MPH average fastball velocity is the fastest in baseball and he should continue to use his fastball-slider combination to strike hitters out at an elite clip.

Oakland Athletics closer Mason Miller said he would consider returning to a starter's role in the future, per USA Today's Bob Nightengale. The 25-year-old said, "If the opportunity presents itself, maybe." The flamethrower has been fantastic for the A's in the closer's role this season, converting 15 of 17 save opportunities with a 2.27 ERA, a 0.86 WHIP, and a ridiculous 46.7% strikeout rate. While he earned his first All-Star appearance for his efforts, he did make six starts for the A's in 2023 and served as a starter in the minors but had his season cut short due to a UCL injury. Miller's fantasy value could shift slightly in the future if his role changed, but his talent is at such a high level that he could provide significant fantasy value in either role.

Oakland Athletics star closer Mason Miller is expected to stay put at this summer's trade deadline. Miller has been so electric this year in his first full season as the team's ninth-inning arm that not only do the A's want to keep him around as they begin their eventual transition to Las Vegas next year, but his price has become astronomically high. The flamethrowing 25-year-old right-hander has been lights-out for fantasy managers and the A's in 2024, posting a 1.96 ERA (1.80 FIP), a 0.79 WHIP, his first 14 saves, 64 strikeouts and 13 walks in 36 2/3 innings in his second year in the majors. The former third-round pick in 2021 out of Gardner-Webb University routinely hits triple digits on the radar gun and has an absurd 47.1% strikeout rate.

Oakland Athletics closer Mason Miller is human after all, as he blew his first save of the season on Thursday against the Tampa Bay Rays. He entered the game in the ninth inning with a 4-3 lead, but Jose Siri took him deep for a solo shot to tie the game. Miller was a perfect 11-for-11 in save opportunities on the season before today. Despite the blemish, there is no denying that the 25-year-old is one of the most dominant relievers in baseball. He is averaging a ludicrous 17.6 K/9 to go along with a 2.08 ERA and 0.88 WHIP. Miller can still be treated as a high-end closer in fantasy.