The Athletics introduced a collection of strikes, together with the information that outfielder Ramon Laureano has been designated for task. As for 2 different gamers not too long ago DFA’ed by Oakland, catcher Manny Pina was launched and utilityman Tyler Wade was outrighted to Triple-A. The strikes create roster area for some injured record activations, as Esteury Ruiz is again from the 10-day IL and Dany Jimenez was activated from the 60-day IL. Kevin Smith was additionally reinstated from the 10-day IL and optioned to Triple-A, whereas the A’s additionally optioned right-hander Tayler Scott to Triple-A.
Laureano has been on the injured record twice this season, lacking about six complete weeks resulting from a groin pressure and a fractured hand suffered whereas sliding right into a base. This has continued a sample of accidents which have plagued Laureano over the previous couple of years, to say nothing of the 80-game PED suspension that price him parts of the 2021 and 2022 seasons. Since returning to motion in 2022, Laureano has hit solely .212/.285/.371 over 629 plate appearances.
It stands to purpose that if it wasn’t for the well being issues and the shortage of manufacturing, Laureano would have joined the numerous different notables traded throughout Oakland’s hearth sale. Laureano continues to be managed by the 2025 season, making him an fascinating chance for a crew in search of outfield assist — he might draw a waiver declare from a contender trying so as to add depth, or a non-contender simply trying so as to add a controllable asset. The truth that the A’s didn’t transfer him earlier than the deadline for no less than a token return would possibly communicate to a common lack of commerce curiosity, or an crew may not have wished to offer something up in a deal, betting that Laureano would possibly come accessible on the DFA wire.
Ruiz missed a couple of month resulting from a proper shoulder subluxation, so a month-long absence ended up being a welcome situation given the potential seriousness of such a shoulder downside. He’ll return to his customary spot in heart subject and proceed a rookie season that has seen Ruiz hit .257/.310/.329 over 369 PA. Even regardless of lacking a month, Ruiz continues to be the AL chief in stolen bases with 43, and Ronald Acuna Jr. (51) is the one participant in baseball with extra swipes than the speedy Ruiz.
Jimenez hasn’t pitched since April 16 resulting from a proper shoulder pressure, so he has solely 6 2/3 innings (and a 5.40 ERA) on his ledger for the 2023 marketing campaign. Shoulder issues additionally interrupted Jimenez’s rookie season, although he managed a 3.41 ERA over 34 1/3 innings for the Athletics final yr and entered the spring as a contender for the nearer position. Whereas the A’s most likely gained’t instantly insert Jimenez into the very best of high-leverage conditions, there’s loads of time left within the season for Jimenez to put up some good outcomes and get himself into the rebuilding crew’s plans for 2024.
That is the third time Wade has been DFA’ed, cleared waivers, and outrighted off of the Athletics’ 40-man roster. He once more has the correct to reject the outright task and develop into a free agent, although it stands to purpose that he would possibly once more choose to stay with the A’s and await one other alternative.
Pina’s first season with the A’s has seen him play in solely 4 video games, as he has once more battled wrist accidents for the second consecutive yr. All informed, Pina has suited up in solely 9 MLB video games because the begin of the 2022 season, with these accidents approaching the heels of a six-year as a part-time catcher with the Brewers. The Athletics acquired Pina final winter from the Braves as a part of the Sean Murphy deal, and the A’s are nonetheless accountable for the roughly $1.5MM remaining on Pina’s contract for 2023. If Pina does signal elsewhere, his new crew will solely owe him a prorated MLB minimal wage for any time he spends on an lively roster, with that wage subtracted from the Athletics’ $1.5MM tab.
