MESA, Ariz. — Even with four closers in their bullpen, the A’s most valuable reliever just might be a small and unassuming second-year right-hander.
Ryan Dull is the sort of reliever who makes managers and pitching coaches look good, and who makes starting pitchers very happy. He set a major-league record for stranding inherited runners last year as a rookie, and he could be even better this season.
“The thing is, this spring he wants to improve,” Oakland pitching coach Curt Young said. “His changeup has been so much better.”
Dull came into camp determined to spiff up that pitch, which he threw just 7 percent of the time last year.