A's add well-traveled Rucinski on 1-year deal

OAKLAND -- The A’s continued to add experience to their pitching staff on Wednesday, signing right-hander Drew Rucinski to a one-year deal with a club option for 2024.

Rucinski, who turns 34 on Dec. 30, spent the last four seasons pitching in Korea for the NC Dinos. Over that stretch, he made 121 starts and racked up 732 2/3 innings, going 53-36 with a 3.06 ERA and 657 strikeouts. This past season was Rucinski’s best in the KBO, as he led the league in games started (31), ranked second in strikeouts (194) and innings pitched (193 2/3) and eighth in ERA (2.97).

Following the signings of infielders Jace Peterson and Aledmys Díaz earlier this month, A’s general manager David Forst indicated that the club was in search of durable pitchers who can be counted on to go out and potentially make 25 starts or so in a Major League season. Rucinski certainly fits that description, having made at least 30 starts and pitched at least 177 1/3 innings in each of his past four seasons in Korea.

With Oakland, Rucinski will join a mix of young starters expected to compete for two or perhaps three open slots in the starting rotation during Spring Training. That list includes left-handers Ken Waldichuk, JP Sears and A.J. Puk, as well as right-handers James Kaprielian, Adrián Martínez and Adam Oller.

“I’ve adapted to the workload the past four years in Korea,” Rucinski said. “I’ve eaten over 175 innings every season, and I absolutely would love to be a starter here. I like sticking with that routine as a starter. I’ll obviously do whatever the team asks of me, but my goal is to be in that rotation.”

Rucinski has had quite an unorthodox professional baseball career. Originally signed by Cleveland in 2011 as an undrafted free agent out of Ohio State University, he was released in '12 and had to hit the independent leagues for two years to keep the Major League dream alive, playing for the Rockford RiverHawks of the Frontier League. Signed by the Angels in '13, he received his first call to the big leagues in ‘14, but he was designated for assignment after just three appearances.

From there, Rucinski bounced around in the Angels, Cubs, Twins and Marlins organizations. He appeared in 41 Major League games from 2014-18 and posted a 5.33 ERA before making the move to Korea.

Now having found his way back to the Majors, Rucinski is feeling like an improved pitcher after benefitting from the experience overseas.

“I had four years over there to eat a lot of innings and learn a lot of things,” Rucinski said. “Just everything has gotten a little sharper and cleaner. I definitely feel like I’ve become a more consistent pitcher. I just feel like I’m a more mature, rounded pitcher who can handle that workload.”

There is a precedent for players in Rucinski’s position who have returned from pitching abroad and found success, most recently Mariners righty Chris Flexen and D-backs righty Merrill Kelly, both of whom also spent time in the KBO.

“It’s been a wild one,” Rucinski said of his journey. “I feel like I’ve seen every level of baseball there is to see. It’s been pretty unique, and I wouldn’t change it for the world. It’s taught me how to take care of myself and be self-motivated. Really challenge myself to get better and figure out what I need to do to take that next step and get where I want to go. … It’s just an incredible journey, and this is the next step on it.”