Elephant Rumblings: A’s hit the road amidst flurry of roster moves

MLB news roundup

Happy Wednesday, Athletics Nation!

The Oakland Athletics began their final multi-series road trip yesterday, opening a three-game series in Houston. Several roster moves were made ahead of the trip.

Most notably, Ryan Noda is back in the big leagues after a lengthy stint in Triple-A. The first baseman made waves in his 2023 rookie campaign, highlighted by a wRC+ of 122 and an on-base percentage of .364. But Noda scuffled through 100 plate appearances with the A’s this spring, posting an abysmal wRC+ of 37 that got him sent back to the minors.

Apparently, Noda is back up for a preview of what he might offer next year. He went 0-for-2 with a walk in last night’s win over the Astros.

Tristan Gray headed back to Triple-A to make room for Noda. Gray came up for his debut with the A’s on September 1st and slashed .143/.250/.190 through eight games and 24 plate appearances.

Osvaldo Bido has been establishing himself as a promising rotation piece through the summer, with an ERA of 3.41 through 63 ⅓ innings. The 28-year-old righty was placed on the 15-day IL with wrist tendonitis.

Per Martin Gallegos at MLB.com, there’s a chance Bido will return before the season is up. For the time being, Brady Basso has been recalled to replace Bido. Basso should get a chance to build on his impressive first MLB start against the Tigers last week.

The A’s are looking to clinch their series in Houston today with Joey Estes on the bump. Let’s go, Oakland!

A’s Coverage:

• Athletics beat Astros in extra innings 4-3
• A’s say there is no guarantee that potential playoff games will be in Sacramento
• Will A’s make more memories during final homestand?
• Thomas makes ‘24 All-Breakout Prospect Team
• A’s Manager Mark Kotsay Deserves Award Recognition

MLB News & Interest:

• MLB Power Rankings: Royals, Padres shake up top 10; Our picks for each team’s MVP ($)
• Giants’ Farhan Zaidi, Bob Melvin contracts guaranteed through next year, not 2026 ($)
• Rangers To Activate Jacob deGrom On Friday
• Dodgers Activate Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Designate Nick Ramirez
• How Joey Votto knew it was time — ‘I’m expired’ — and what he thinks could be next ($)
• For relievers, how tough is the switch from setup man to closer? ($)
• Michael Kopech has an elite fastball; his Dodgers success comes from throwing it less ($)
• Angels Select Eric Wagaman, Place Anthony Rendon On IL
• Today in Baseball History

Best of X:

Roster moves.

Law seems to have caught a bug.

Sodie about ready to pop back into the big league squad.

Rooker, the terror of the AL West.

Bledoubling into the history books.

This prospect’s stock is on the rise.