Hiram

Bocachica

Bocachica had been scheduled to start in center field and bat leadoff. Eugene Kingsale replaced him.

Bocachica had been out with the flu.

Bocachica should have a chance to become the A’s 25th man. He can handle all three outfield spots and would be fine to use in place of Mark Kotsay against tough lefties. The switch-hitting Garrett might also be a decent fifth outfielder, but he’ll probably be assigned to Triple-A Sacramento.

Bocachica is 1-for-9 with five strikeouts in the last two games and 1-for-14 this season, but it appears that he’s getting a chance to take Gene Kingsale’s job.

Bocachica is batting .288/.388/.575 in 23 games. The 28-year-old outfielder is expected to compete for a spot on Oakland’s bench next spring.

The Tigers probably should have cut Craig Paquette instead, but Bocachica was the next best candidate to go. The 27-year-old former Dodgers prospect was just 1-for-22 this year.

Bocachica cleared waivers after being designated for assignment on Friday.

Bocachica, who just returned from a broken wrist on Sept. 1, showed enough in four regular-season games and in the PCL playoffs to give the A’s reason to think he can help out. He could get some starts against lefties, though that shouldn’t give him any fantasy value.

Bocachica had played a few games for the Rookie AZL Athletics. Bocachica hurt his wrist in one of the final games of the spring.