A’s: Oakland agreed to terms Thursday with designated hitter Frank Thomas, released last weekend by the Toronto Blue Jays after getting frustrated with his lack of playing time.
Thomas was in the lineup for the Athletics’ 11-2 victory over Minnesota. He went 0-for-3 with two walks while batting cleanup as the DH.
He will be the team’s new regular designated hitter, just as he was while a catalyst in Oakland’s 2006 playoff run and AL West championship that year.
The deal came together in a matter of hours Wednesday after Thomas cleared waivers. Things were finalized in the early evening, and Thomas had about an hour to get to the airport and fly to Oakland from Chicago.
Oakland will be on the hook only for $336,721 — a prorated share of the $390,000 league minimum — so this move was a bargain for general manager Billy Beane and a club looking to boost its power numbers. The 39-year-old Thomas will get the vast majority of his $8 million salary this year from the Blue Jays. The A’s started Thursday’s game with nine home runs.
To clear roster room, the A’s placed outfielder Travis Buck on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 19 with shin splints and transferred six-time Gold Glove third baseman Eric Chavez to the 60-day disabled list.
With Thomas playing regularly, Jack Cust will move to left field and Mike Sweeney will get more time at first base, along with rookie Daric Barton.
BLUE JAYS: Third baseman Scott Rolen is expected to be reinstated from the 15-day disabled list before tonight’s game against Kansas City. Rolen, who broke the middle finger on his right hand, worked out with the team before Thursday night’s game with Tampa Bay. He went 0-for-9 during a three-game rehab assignment with Class-A Dunedin.
YANKEES: Injured Alex Rodriguez rejoined New York, but was not in the starting lineup for Thursday’s game. The All-Star third baseman has not played since leaving Sunday’s game in Baltimore because of a strained right quadriceps.
RANGERS: Texas recalled right-handed pitcher Scott Feldman from Class AA Frisco and right-hander Kazuo Fukumori from Class AAA Oklahoma.
Associated Press
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