A’s Notes: Jerry Blevins DFA’d & Outman Recalled
By Joseph Lopez
The A’s remained relatively active on Monday, as the team announced that reliever Jerry Blevins was designated for assignment. Blevins, 27, was DFA’d to make room for starting pitcher Josh Outman, who rejoins the rotation after missing nearly two years due to Tommy John surgery.
Blevins had some trouble this season in Oakland’s bullpen, posting a 4.40 ERA in 14.1 innings pitched. Opponents had been hitting a cool .260/.394/.480 against the lefty this season.
Outman, meanwhile, rejoins Oakland’s rotation after going 4-1 with a 3.48 ERA for them in 2009. He suffered an elbow injury in June of 2009, and underwent Tommy John surgery that same year.
He was part of Oakland’s fifth-starter race during spring training, but ultimately lost out to Brandon McCarthy. Oddly enough, however, Outman is expected to start in place of the injured McCarthy on Monday night against the Angels.
The A’s would like to see Outman carry some of the success he’s had in Triple-A over into the big leagues. In his last four starts for Triple-A Sacramento, Outman went 4-0 with a 2.35 ERA. The A’s rotation is, without question, the team’s biggest strength this season, but with Dallas Braden, Tyson Ross, and McCarthy all missing action, guys like Outman will have to step up and make the most out their opportunities.