Colby Thomas (wrist) out Tuesday vs. D-backs

This unexpected swap came in right at the buzzer. Thomas winds up in Philadelphia, where he figures to get a chance at some point in the final two months, after being shipped to the minors last weekend. The 25-year-old former top prospect hit just .202/.235/.333 with four homers and one steal in 121 plate appearances for the Athletics this season.

The Athletics had plenty of outfield depth on their major league roster and wanted to add an extra infielder instead for their weekend series against the Tigers so Thomas gets the boot. The 25-year-old has hit just .202/.235/.333 with four homers, 11 RBI and a 37/4 K/BB ratio in 121 plate appearances with the A’s this season.

Butler got lucky in the bottom of the ninth, when he thought his opposite-field double was a walkoff homer off Aroldis Chapman and he waited several seconds to start running. Fortunately for him, the ball bounced far enough away after hitting the wall that he made it to second anyway. It still was a nice showing offensively. His homer off Patrick Sandoval in the fifth was his first since June 19, and he had two extra-base hits for the first time in a game this season. He’s batting .204/.306/.320 in 311 plate appearances, but his seven-year, $65.5 million contract ensures that the A’s won’t give up on him.

Thomas returned to the Athletics’ lineup for Sunday’s series finale against the Twins after missing four games with a left wrist bruise. The 25-year-old former prospect is in left field and hitting cleanup against Boston rookie lefty Peyton Tolle on Monday night in West Sacramento.

There’s been zero indication that Thomas is headed to the injured list despite sitting for the fourth consecutive game. The 25-year-old was diagnosed with a left wrist contusion after being hit by a pitch earlier this week. He remains day-to-day for the moment.

Thomas is day-to-day. The D-backs are throwing another lefty on Tuesday, so Thomas would be in line to start. However, if he can’t go, Lawrence Butler will probably play right field.

Lawrence Butler took over for Thomas in right field to open the fourth inning after he was hit by a pitch on the left hand area earlier in the contest. He’ll head for X-rays to determine whether he suffered any fractures.

Wilson gets a look atop the Athletics’ lineup with Nick Kurtz on the injured list against lefty opener Bryan Hudson after Lawrence Butler took at turn during Friday’s series opener. The 24-year-old contact-oriented shortstop should continue to get opportunities against lefties while Kurtz is on the shelf. He’s hit .286 (4-for-14) in four games since returning from the injured list earlier this week.

Soderstrom landed on the 10-day injured list with a left hip impingement on Jun 29th, and the expectation remains that he will return after the All-Star break. However, we’ll need to see him resume some activities this week before we can be confident he will return right after the break. In the meantime, Carlos Cortes will continue to start against right-handed pitchers, with Colby Thomas starting against lefties. The Athletics will see three lefties in their next six games.

Thomas knocked a base hit in the second inning, then later drove in two of the A’s three runs with a two-run homer off Justin Wrobleski. It was Thomas’s fourth straight start, all against left-handed pitching. He’s up to four homers and ten RBI while hitting .238/.274/.413 across 85 plate appearances.