There were no hard feelings, but Mitch Spences initial desire was to remain a Yankee. Spence, a righty starter who steadily rose through the system and had a solid 2023 season with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, watched as the organization added pitcher Clayton Beeter and catchers Agustin Ramirez and Carlos Narvaez to the 40-man roster in November. The trio of prospects, then, could not be selected by other teams in the Rule 5 draft. Spence was left unprotected. I had hoped I would get protected, Spence said Monday from the visiting clubhouse before his But obviously, they [have] got to make decisions, and thats just what happened. Oakland Athletics relief pitcher Mitch Spence (40) pitches the ball against the St. Louis Cardinals during the eighth inning at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports If there was disappointment, he didnt need to wait long to feel excitement. The As grabbed Spence with the top pick in the Dec. 6 draft, clearly intrigued by a workhorse who led Jake Cousins Jersey the entire minor leagues in innings (163) last season. Spence had struck out 153 and pitched to a 4.47 ERA in an International League that was frustrating pitchers by experimenting with an Automated Ball-Strike system. Spence, a 10th-round pick in 2019, made the As out of camp and has debuted as a swingman out of the bullpen. Explore More He has been solid (4.15 ERA) in a role that is difficult to navigate, throwing as many as three innings in a game and as few as one. He has leaned on teammate Ro s Stripling, who has experience in the spot, and has tried to figure out the ideal between-outing workload. Mitch Spence #40 of the Oakland Athletics pitches against the Cleveland Guardians in the sixth inning at Oakland Coliseum. Getty Images The 25-year-old is living his dream, even if it is a slightly distorted one from afar. See Also The As are playing home games in a nearly empty and fully decrepit Coliseum as the organization prepares to move to Sacramento next season and perhaps Las Vegas in a few years. Its just something thats out of your control, Spence said about the chaos around the team. At the end of the day, we just come in and try to win baseball games, whatever outside noise is going on. The noise would be louder if Spence makes his Bronx debut this week. Spence wont be in pinstripes but has kept in touch with his friends in the organization, such as pitching prospects Will Warren and Sean Boyle. Spence said he had this series circled, but not because he had revenge in mind: His wifes family is from Long Island and has been eager to see him. I think itd be cool, Spence said about pitching at the Stadium. Im excited to get the opportunity to play here. Alex Verdugo (0-for-1, two walks) was the only Yankee to reach base multiple times and is slashing .349/.462/.558 over his last 13 games. Hes just been a really good player for us so far. Winning player, Aaron Boone said before the lo s. Hes done a little bit of everything, whether its a clutch hit here or there. Obviously a big hit [Sunday] in the big inning we had. Just outstanding in left field and made some really good plays at big moments, too. Hes been a money player for us. Jose Trevino (1-for-3) extended his hitting streak to seven games. DJ LeMahieu, who is expected to start a rehab a signment Tuesday with Double-A Somerset, took ground balls at third and second base and ran the bases. Tim Mayza Jersey