Athletics Closer Mason Miller Injured Due To Broken Pinky From Slamming His Fist In Anger

The Oakland Athletics suffered a major blow as lights-out closer Mason Miller was put on the 15-day injured list due to a broken left pinky. Skipper Mark Kotsay said Thursday that Miller suffered the injury when he “kind of pounded his fist down on a padded table out of emotion” after Monday’s game against the Astros.

“Unfortunately, it resulted in a fracture in his non-pitching hand in his left hand where his pinky is,” Kotsay said. “We’ve been there, done that.” Setup man Lucas Erceg is expected to slide into the closer role during Miller’s absence.

Miller is undisputably Oakland’s best pitcher as the 25-year-old closer owns a 2.21 ERA and fanned 70 batters in 40 2/3 innings pitched this season. Thanks to these stats, Miller’s name has popped up in trade rumors as the Yankees, Phillies, Dodgers and Orioles expressed interest at the beginning of 2024 – however, the injury has halted rumors as the A’s wanted a huge return for the righty pitcher. The A’s closer owns the record for the fastest pitch thrown in the MLB All-Star Game with a 103.6 mph fastball.

“I’m happy being with the guys I’m with and honored to be here representing them and excited to work with them in the second half,” Miller commented as he expressed his desire to be an Oakland Athletic. “At the end of the day, I don’t have a say in it at all. That portion of it is easy for me to dissociate with and say, I don’t have a dog in that fight and whatever will be, will be.”

Miller will have five years until he hits free agency following this season, leaving the A’s with some thinking on whether they want to keep the electric closer around or deal him when he’s healthy.