McCarthy activated, Barton to Triple-A

The A's reinstated Brandon McCarthy and optioned Daric Barton to Triple-A Sacramento. McCarthy returns from the 15-day disabled list after suffering from irregular soreness in his right shoulder. He was the A's opening day starter and is 3-3 with a 2.95 ERA. McCarthy is starting today, so the move doesn't come as a surprise. McCarthy has been on the DL seven times in his career. Last season at this exact time he missed six weeks with a shoulder strain. After he was placed on the DL, he told me that his most recent shoulder flare up isn't as serious as the one that forced him to miss time last year. The A's had one player-option left on Barton, which made him a candidate to be sent to Triple-A. He is hitting .198, with one homer and four RBIs in 37 games. Those numbers don't cut it in a corner infield position, or really any position for that matter. He spent four games in Sacramento with the River Cats earlier in the season while rehabbing from a strained right shoulder. He was recalled April 9 which resulted in the A's designating Brandon Allen for assignment. Barton has no errors this season, but never figured it out offensively. During the A's previous road trip Bob Melvin said he wanted Barton to be more aggressive at the plate. He was 8 for 49 (.163) with 10 walks in his last 17 games.