RHP Scott Optioned to Las Vegas; INF Smith Reinstated from IL and Optioned to Las Vegas
OAKLAND, Calif. — The Oakland A’s reinstated right-handed pitcher Dany Jiménez from the 60-day injured list and outfielder Esteury Ruiz from the 10-day injured list, the club announced today. To clear space on the roster the A’s designated outfielder Ramón Laureano for assignment and optioned right-handed pitcher Tayler Scott to Triple-A Las Vegas. The A’s also reinstated infielder Kevin Smith from the 10-day injured list and optioned him to Las Vegas, outrighted infielder Tyler Wade to Las Vegas, and released catcher Manny Piña.
Laureano was batting .213 with six home runs, 21 RBI and eight stolen bases in 64 games in a season interrupted by two stints on the injured list with a strained left groin (April 17-28) and fractured right hand (June 22-July 14). He was acquired from the Houston Astros on Nov. 20, 2017 for Brandon Bailey and batted .246 with 68 home runs, 205 RBI, 53 stolen bases and 50 hit by pitches in 471 games in six seasons with the A’s. The 29-year-old right-handed hitter made his Major League debut on Aug. 3, 2018 and has 39 outfield assists over that span, which are fourth most in the majors.
Jiménez had a save and a 5.40 ERA in seven relief appearances when was placed on the injured list April 17 with a strained right shoulder. He was sent to Las Vegas on a rehab assignment on July 19 and compiled a 20.77 ERA in five games. The 29-year-old right-hander allowed 10 runs on seven hits and six walks in 4.1 innings while striking out five.
Ruiz was batting .257 with 43 stolen bases in 85 games when he was placed on the 10-day injured list July 7 retroactive to July 6 with a right shoulder subluxation. He began a rehab assignment with Las Vegas on July 28 and went 8-for-20 (.400) with four runs, a double, triple, home run, two RBI and three stolen bases in five games. Ruiz was leading the majors in stolen bases at the time of his injury and currently ranks second to the Braves Acuña (51).
Scott was claimed off waivers from Boston on July 19 and posted a 5.06 ERA in six relief appearances with the A’s. He has also pitched for the Dodgers and Red Sox this year and is 0-0 with a 6.60 ERA in 16 games overall. Scott is 3-0 with two saves and a 1.59 ERA in 21 relief appearances with Triple-A Oklahoma City and Worcester.
Smith was batting .191 with four home runs and eight RBI in 34 games with the A’s when he was placed on the 10-day injured list June 16 with a strained back. He began a rehab assignment with Las Vegas July 27 and went 8-for-21 (.381) in six games. Smith is batting .302 with 10 home runs and 26 RBI in 23 games overall with the Aviators.
Wade was selected from Las Vegas on Tuesday for his third stint with the A’s this year but did not appear in a game before he was designated for assignment on Thursday. He is batting .255 with a double, triple and two RBI in 26 games with Oakland. Wade is also hitting .251 with two home runs, 20 RBI and a .674 OPS in 52 games with the Aviators.
Piña was reinstated from the injured list and designated for assignment on Monday. He went 3-for-12 (.250) in four games with the A’s in a season shortened by stints on the injured list from Opening Day through July 3 with a sprained left wrist and July 11 to 30 with a left wrist contusion.
