Fiers is slightly behind the other projected members of the Athletics starting rotation due to what manager Bob Melvin has described as a minor back issue, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Athletics have rolled out their projected starting pitchers very deliberately thus far this spring, but this news seems to confirm that Fiers' lack of game action hasn't been entirely by design. That said, it's not necessarily surprising to learn that a 35-year-old pitcher who's been through the rigors of 10 big-league seasons is enduring a bit of a back issue in spring, and there doesn't presently appear to be any concern regarding Fiers' availability for the start of the regular season.

Fiers signed a one-year, $3.5 million contract with the Athletics on Saturday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Fiers will return to Oakland on a one-year agreement after spending the past two seasons with the team. He made 11 starts during the abbreviated 2020 campaign, recording a 4.58 ERA and 1.37 WHIP over 59 innings. The right-hander doesn't have elite strikeout rates, but he's had good control and should begin the 2021 season in the Athletics' rotation once again.

Fiers didn't factor in the decision in Game 3 against the White Sox after allowing one run on five hits with two strikeouts and one walk over 1.2 innings.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran right-hander allowed a massive 487-foot solo homer during the second inning, but it was somehow the only run he gave up despite allowing six of the 11 batters he faced to reach base. It was an outing to forget for Fiers, but he should receive another chance to pitch in the postseason with the A's advancing to face the Astros in the AL Division Series.

Fiers (6-3) took the loss against the Dodgers on Thursday, allowing two runs on five hits and one walk while striking out three.

EDGE Analysis

Fiers was neither dominant nor dominated in the performance, but he was tagged with the loss as Oakland managed to put up only one run on offense. The veteran tossed 80 pitches over five innings during his final appearance of the regular season. Fiers finishes the campaign with a 4.58 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 37:16 K:BB over 59 innings. His next outing could come in the playoffs, though it is unclear whether Oakland will give him a chance to start in the postseason.

Fiers (6-2) earned the win Wednesday against the Rockies after allowing one run on seven hits with four strikeouts and zero walks over six innings.

EDGE Analysis

The Rockies scratched across a run on three singles during the third inning, but the veteran right-hander otherwise kept them off the board. Fiers has a 4.67 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 34:15 K:BB through 54 innings and is set to face the Dodgers next week.

Fiers (5-2) threw six innings of six-hit, four-run ball during the A's 10-6 Friday night win over the Rangers. He struck out five.

EDGE Analysis

The Oakland offense provided eight runs of support through the first three frames, and Fiers was dealing until allowing a three-run seventh. He has now won four of his previous five starts and will take the mound against the Rockies next week.

Fiers (4-2) allowed three runs on five hits and two walks while striking out four in five innings in a loss to the Padres on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Fiers didn't allow a homer in the contest, but the Athletics never led after Jake Cronenworth's RBI double put the Padres ahead in the fourth inning. The 35-year-old Fiers has a 4.93 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 25:13 K:BB across 42 innings this season. He'll look to bounce back Friday in a road start versus the Rangers.

Fiers (4-1) was charged with one unearned run on three hits over six innings in a win over the Rangers on Wednesday. He struck out seven and walked two.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander established a new season high with the seven punchouts -- Fiers had not fanned more than four in a start prior to Wednesday. His velocity is down, but Fiers is once again outpitching his peripherals, though this time with a 4.86 ERA compared to a 3.90 mark last year. It's not a skill set that inspires much confidence, but the team context is a big plus in his favor. Fiers currently lines up for a road start in Seattle next week and potentially a second start (vs. SD) if there are no changes to the A's schedule.

Fiers (3-1) picked up the win Friday after holding the Angels to three runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out three across 5.1 innings.

EDGE Analysis

Facing the Angels for the third time this season, Fiers finally notched the win. The right-hander started off strong, blanking the Halos until the fifth inning, when he gave up a leadoff double to David Fletcher, a walk to Tommy La Stella and an RBI single to Anthony Rendon. After hitting Anthony Benboom with a pitch and allowing a single to Andrelton Simmons in the sixth, Fiers was pulled to turn things over to J.B. Wendelken, who allowed both of his baserunners to score. The 35-year-old will carry an undesirable 5.81 ERA and 1.55 WHIP into a Wednesday matchup at Texas.

Fiers (2-1) allowed two runs on seven hits and a walk over six innings Sunday, striking out four and picking up the win over the Giants.

EDGE Analysis

Fiers coughed up a solo shot to Brandon Belt in the second inning and an RBI single to Mike Yastrzemski in the third. The 35-year-old allowed nothing but singles for the rest of his outing and kept the Giants offense under control. He lowered his ERA to 5.96 across 25.2 innings. Fiers will face the Angels at home Friday.