With so few holes to fill on the roster, the battle for the fourth outfield spot has become one of the main storylines of A¡¯s camp.

The list of players in contention for that outfield spot is narrowing down.

Prior to Monday¡¯s game against the Indians in Goodyear, Ariz., the A¡¯s announced a flurry of roster moves to trim the number of players in big league camp. Outfielders Luis Barrera, Skye Bolt and Greg Deichmann were among those optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas.

Buddy Reed, Oakland¡¯s No. 21 prospect per MLB Pipeline, was not among the players optioned. Though he lacks big league experience, the 25-year-old outfielder appears to have bought himself some extra time in big league camp with an impressive start to the Cactus League season that has seen him make several eye-opening plays, including Sunday¡¯s leaping catch at the wall to rob Jos¨¦ Abreu of extra bases.

¡°He¡¯s a really excitable player,¡± A¡¯s manager Bob Melvin said of Reed. ¡°This is the big leagues for him. Even though it¡¯s Spring Training, this is a great opportunity for him. Every day, he¡¯s really excited about getting an opportunity. He¡¯s had enough good plays to make a lot of eye contact with me this spring.¡±

Reed has certainly put himself on the big league radar, though the switch-hitter still appears to be behind at least a couple of players on the depth chart, including Seth Brown, whose left-handed bat and good plate discipline both fit the profile of the type of player the A¡¯s would like in that fourth outfield spot. Brown also has big league experience, having played in 33 games with Oakland over the past two years.

Ka¡¯ai Tom, whom the A¡¯s selected in the Rule 5 Draft in December, is also about to insert himself into the mix. The left-handed-hitting outfielder was sidelined early in spring due to an oblique injury. Now healthy, Tom was in the leadoff spot to begin Monday¡¯s game. He spent 2019 in Cleveland¡¯s system at Double-A and Triple-A, combining to hit .290 with 23 home runs and 86 RBIs in 132 games.

Given his status as a Rule 5 pick -- which means the club must keep him on the active roster all season or else offer him back to the Indians for $50,000 -- Tom could have a good shot to make the Opening Day roster if he stays healthy.

¡°You can see the guys we¡¯re probably leaning on the hardest to get that last spot,¡± Melvin said. ¡°Some of them do different things. It¡¯s just about what our needs are going to be and which one complements the rest of the guys on the roster the most.¡±