A’s roster moves: Andujar activated off IL, Thomas optioned

A’s continue getting healthier

The Athletics announced a roster move in the hours leading up to their Wednesday evening game with the Atlanta Braves, activating left fielder/third baseman Miguel Andujar off the IL and optioning top outfield prospect Colby Thomas to Triple-A:

Andujar returns to the team after missing over a month of action due to the strained oblique he suffered on June 1st. At the time of his injury he was hitting a solid .296/.328/.402 with three long balls. He was especially strong against left-handed pitching, slashing .389/.400/.500, albeit in a small sample size of 36 at bats.

Before his injury he was seeing more time at the hot corner, but since he’s been on the shelf he’s been replaced by Max Muncy, who has hit well since becoming the regular third baseman. For now Andujar will likely split time in left field with the lefty-swinging Tyler Soderstrom, making a strong left-right platoon in left, with an occasional start at third base. He’s not in tonight’s starting lineup but is available off of the bench.

Andujar will now have roughy three weeks to prove to interested teams that he is fully recovered from his injury. He won’t bring back a top prospect in return for three months of service but it’s a seller’s market and the A’s are one of the most obvious sellers in baseball. The club will surely be making Andujar available and if he can hit well over the next month he’d boost the return for the A’s.

Making room on the roster for Andujar, Thomas turns out to be the (obvious) odd man out. The righty-hitting outfielder made some noise in his first taste of the major leagues but the team’s #2 prospect went only 1-for-11 with six strikeouts. It’s not his time yet but it’s coming soon. We’ll be seeing him again this season.