HOUSTON — Oakland’s bullpen is in some flux, with some injuries and underperformance, which means roles are changing. Among the more interesting recent developments: Rookie Lou Trivino and former closer Santiago Casilla might see more action in the sixth or seventh innings, effectively moving past Emilio Pagan and Chris Hatcher.
“He’s really done a nice job for us,” A’s manager Bob Melvin said before the game of Casilla, who before a rough eighth inning Sunday had allowed only two hits in his previous seven appearances. “For a guy who’s used to pitching and pitching a lot in a certain part of the game, he’s had to acclimate to a different role, and he’s done it beautifully.