The Athletics activated pitcher A.J. Griffin from the disabled list and optioned him to Triple-A Nashville, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports. To make room for him on the 40-man roster, closer Sean Doolittle was transferred to the 60-day disabled list.
Per Slusser, manager Bob Melvin says Griffin isn’t quite ready to return to the majors yet, as he’s only up to about 80 pitches. The 27-year-old right-hander, on the road back from Tommy John surgery, has made three rehab starts. He pitched well in his first two at Single-A, but struggled in his most recent, allowing six runs (five earned) in 4 1/3 innings at Triple-A.
Griffin will make a few more starts at Triple-A. If he can prove himself useful, the A’s might bring him up to the major leagues by the All-Star break. Griffin hasn’t pitched in the majors since the end of the 2013 season.
As for Doolittle, his move to the 60-day disabled list means the A’s won’t be seeing him back for a while, if at all this season. He’s battling a left shoulder injury.
