MESA, Ariz. — The A’s have always believed Jharel Cotton has the stuff to be a top of the line starter, it’s just a matter of consistency. It was an issue all last season. It’s an issue this spring.
After shining in his spring debut against the Padres last week, tossing a pair of hitless innings with five strikeouts, Cotton was roughed up in a 9-4 loss to the Rangers Thursday for four runs on five hits and two walks in two innings of work.
“That’s the consistency we’ve been talking about,” A’s manager Bob Melvin said.