The future is now for the Oakland Athletics, who confirmed that highly touted left-hander Sean Manaea will be promoted from Triple-A Nashville and make his major league debut Friday night against the Astros.

Will the 24-year-old left-hander be pitching on a short leash? Not necessarily.

Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports Manaea “has an excellent shot to stick in the rotation long-term should he even approach the kinds of numbers he’s put up at Nashville." In three minor league outings, Manaea struck out 21 batters with four walks and a 1.111 WHIP in 18 innings.

With Henderson Alvarez not expected to return until May, Slusser says Manaea “might get an audition period of several weeks in the meantime.”

Jesse Hahn, who has a 2.04 ERA in four starts at Nashville, would be a candidate for promotion if Manaea struggles, although Hahn is currently dealing with a blister issue.