Slumping A’s aren’t making use of Mason Miller. Would trading their star closer make sense?

OAKLAND — Mason Miller had to ask permission to pitch Sunday, and you can hardly blame him.

Pitchers for the Athletics have faced 1,844 batters through 49 games, and one of the most explosive talents in Major League Baseball has faced 70 of them. Miller has pitched 19 1/3 innings in 15 games. At this rate, he’ll pitch in 50 games.

A’s manager Mark Kotsay went into the season with the plan of being ultra-careful with Miller’s valuable right arm, but having him pitch three times in the last 17 games was never part of that plan.