A's DFA Tom to make room for Piscotty
Mart¨ªn Gallegos
@MartinJGallegosKa'ai Tom, whom the A¡¯s designated for assignment on Tuesday to make room for Stephen Piscotty¡¯s return from the paternity list, was claimed off waivers by the Pirates on Wednesday.
Selected by the A's in December's Rule 5 Draft, Tom appeared in just nine games this season, hitting .063 while also providing a memorable moment during the club¡¯s opening series against the Astros when he took the mound and tossed a scoreless ninth inning in a blowout.
Tom intrigued the A¡¯s after hitting .290 with a .912 OPS to go with 23 home runs, 27 doubles, 10 triples and 86 RBIs in 132 games combined at Double-A and Triple-A in 2019. The 26-year-old outfielder then earned his way onto the Opening Day roster in Spring Training, hitting .310 with a .964 OPS in 12 Cactus League games.
The decision to designate Tom was a difficult one for the A¡¯s. But with fellow outfielder Seth Brown coming up from the club¡¯s alternate training site and moving up the depth chart with a couple of clutch homers early in the season, Tom was stuck in a roster crunch.
¡°Anybody that plays for me that gets an opportunity to stay in the big leagues, I¡¯m always thrilled,¡± A¡¯s manager Bob Melvin said. ¡°He was a little bit down after having a good spring to make the team. Now, he gets another chance with probably an easier role in the National League where he¡¯ll get some more regular at-bats.¡±
Weems optioned
With the A¡¯s reducing their roster to 26 after expanding to 27 for Tuesday¡¯s doubleheader against the Twins, right-hander Jordan Weems was optioned down to the club¡¯s alternate training site in Stockton, Calif., on Wednesday. Appearing in three games, Weems allowed one run in 2 1/3 innings with three strikeouts and one walk.
Left-hander Reymin Guduan, who was reinstated from the 10-day injured list and added to the active roster as the 27th man for Tuesday¡¯s doubleheader, remains with the A¡¯s as a long-relief option out of the bullpen.
Guduan was off to a rough start with the A¡¯s, allowing eight runs on nine hits and three walks in 2 2/3 innings across three relief appearances before landing on the IL on April 6 with a left thumb sprain. However, the lefty impressed the A¡¯s coaching staff during a few rehab appearances at the alternate training site over the past week, reaching up to 96-97 mph with his fastball.
¡°He looked more in the fashion we saw him in Spring Training,¡± Melvin said. ¡°Hopefully, that shows up here.¡±
A's make statement
Following the announcement of the verdict in the George Floyd murder trial in which former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was found guilty of 2nd- and 3rd-degree murder, as well as 2nd-degree manslaughter, the A¡¯s released this statement before the start of Tuesday¡¯s doubleheader:
¡°Before we take the field tonight versus the Twins, our thoughts continue to be with George Floyd¡¯s family, the Minneapolis community, and others impacted by violence. The jury¡¯s decision is an important step in addressing systemic racism, and we are heartened that there is accountability for George Floyd¡¯s death. We remain committed to doing our part in Oakland to advance equity and inclusion and to support Black communities.¡±