Daulton Jefferies was set to have a prime opportunity with the Oakland A’s. He was slated to enter the rotation on Saturday, taking the place of James Kaprielian for at least one outing. While Kaprielian had pitched reasonably well all year, he had also begun to hit the wall, leaving the A’s to give Jefferies a look.
Instead, Kaprielian was given a reprieve. Jefferies ended up landing on the Injured List before that outing, leaving Kaprielian to take his regular turn in the rotation.
James Kaprielian gives Oakland A’s what they needed
Maybe that possible demotion to the bullpen was the wake-up call that Kaprielian needed.