Athletics Rumors: McCarthy Available Once Healthy

The Oakland Athletics will be willing to trade Brandon McCarthy once he returns from his current DL stint, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports’ sources.

McCarthy has been stellar in his 12 starts this year, putting up a 2.54 ERA with 52 strikeouts in 72 innings of work. In spite of this, and though McCarthy is only owed $4.275 million this season, teams may be hesitant the 28-year-old impending free agent because of injury concerns.

McCarthy, who turns 29 on July 7, is brilliant when he pitches… But a team that acquired him might need to give him extra rest or skip a start as preventive measures.

The 6’ 7" right-hander has been hampered by shoulder problems over his career, and this year has been no different. Though recent MRIs have revealed no structural damage, McCarthy is currently serving his second 15-day DL stint of the season with a right shoulder strain.

A high-risk, high reward trade candidate, McCarthy is expected back from the disabled list by the All-Star break, which will give interested teams plenty of time to assess his ability to remain healthy before the trade deadline.

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Should the Athletics trade McCarthy?

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