Vincent

Catricala

Catricala, 23, batted .349/.421/.601 with 25 homers, 106 RBI and a 1.021 OPS between High-A High Desert and Double-A Jackson last season. There are serious doubts about his defensive ability at third base, so he may end up as a left fielder in the long-term.

He’s now on the 40-man roster. Catricala batted just .229/.292/.348 with 10 homers at Tacoma this season, but he posted big numbers in his first two minor league seasons.

Catricala had been designated for assignment a week ago. He had a monster season in 2011 in the minors but hasn’t done much since. He’s just 24, though, so it’s a worthy gamble by the A’s.

The move was made in order to clear a 40-man roster spot for Jeremy Bonderman. Catricala has batted just .253/.318/.351 with three homers at the Double-A level this season. He has a good shot to clear waivers.

Catricala had been designated for assignment Wednesday. He’s batted only .238/.307/.328 in 81 games at the Double-A level this season.

The move clears a spot for Adam Rosales on the 40-man roster. Catricala, who was acquired from the Mariners last month, is batting .238/.307/.328 in 81 games at the Double-A level this year. He figures to pass through waivers unclaimed.

Catricala was selected from the A’s in the minor league phase of December’s Rule 5 Draft. The 25-year-old once posted big power numbers as a farmhand with the Mariners, but he hit just .235/.292/.328 in 109 games between Double- and Triple-A last year.