Mitch

Moreland

Moreland, 37, was hoping to play last year, but even with the DH opening things up a bit in the NL, no one showed much interest. The longtime Ranger hit .251/.318/.446 with 186 homers over 12 major league seasons before wrapping his career with the A’s in 2021. He went to an All-Star Game while with the Red Sox in 2018.

This may have been a lingering issue for Moreland, who is batting just .227/.286/.415 in 81 games (252 plate appearances) this season with Oakland. Skye Bolt will fill the vacant 26-man roster spot on Tuesday.

Moreland somehow homered twice in a game in which the A’s scored 17 runs yet finished with only two RBI. He’s hitting .230/.290/.415 with nine homers and 27 RBI in 221 plate appearances this season, so he’ll need to pick it up some if he wants to be looked at as a potential regular in free agency this winter.

The 35-year-old was placed on the injured list on July 4 due to undisclosed reasons, but it appears whatever was ailing him has cleared up. Frank Schwindel was designated for assignment to clear a spot on the active roster. Moreland returns to a .238/.286/.388 slash line with six homers and 22 RBI in 175 plate appearances.

There are no details as to why the 35-year-old has been placed on the injured list, but more information is sure to follow. The Athletics activated Stephen Piscotty from the injured list in a corresponding move.

Moreland whiffed twice against righty Domingo Germán before being lifted for a pinch-hitter in the fifth inning. The 35-year-old veteran has struggled at the plate, hitting .242 (8-for-33) with one homer in 12 games since June 1.

Moreland was pinch-hit for in the eighth inning when the Athletics needed a right-handed batter up at the plate. The 35-year-old is having a below-average season thus far, batting .245/.315/.408 with four home runs, four doubles, and 24 strikeouts in 98 at-bats.

Moreland is back on the active roster for Thursday night’s series opener against the Angels after missing a little under two weeks of action with a rib injury. The 35-year-old has batted .237/.305/.409 with four home runs and 15 RBI in 31 games this season. Luis Barrera is being optioned out in a corresponding move.

Moreland resumed baseball activities earlier this week and has been looking good in those workouts, so it sounds like he won’t need a minor league rehab assignment. He’s been out since May 15 with a rib issue.

Moreland has resumed baseball activities and is doing well, he will just need a little more time. The designated hitter is working his way back from an inflamed costochondral junction of his left rib.