A’s Designate Andy LaRoche For Assignment

The Oakland A’s dropped their sixth-straight game on Sunday, but they also made headlines when they designated back-up player Andy LaRoche for assignment. According to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle, the A’s had more pressing issues that caused LaRoche to get DFA’d.

The A’s were in dire need of pitching, especially since the team’s bullpen was taxed during the first two games against Boston, and so the team decided to keep Fautino De Los Santos on the roster when Grant Balfour returned from paternity leave.

Slusser also suggests that the A’s might want to hang onto LaRoche should he clear waives, even though the team is expecting utility-infielder Adam Rosales to return soon from an injury. Rosales, who played in 80 games last season with Oakland, has been sidelined since December after having right foot surgery. He has been on a minor-league assignment as part of his rehabilitation process before rejoining the big-league team.

The A’s could definitely use Rosales right now, and if he can replicate last season’s .271/.321/.400, 7 HR, 31 RBIs, the A’s could get a much needed kick-start from their utility infielder. Oakland’s offense has been stalling for most of the season, and the team currently trails the red-hot Texas Rangers by 7.0 games in the AL West.

LaRoche, who was acquired by the A’s during the offseason, hit .247/.320/.333 with 5 RBIs in 40 games (28 starts) this season. He started the season off on the right-foot, hitting .294/.351/.412 in April, but he hit a wall in May, batting just .220 in 59 at-bats in May.