OAKLAND -– A’s manager Bob Melvin hinted that right fielder Josh Reddick might come off the disabled list after Monday’s day off, meaning Oakland will be facing a roster decision to clear a spot for him.
Reddick, coming back from a strained right knee that’s twice sent him to the D.L., is 7-for-17 with two home runs in four rehab games for Single-A Stockton.
Melvin talked to him on the phone Sunday morning and was happy with what he heard.
“He feels good,” Melvin said. “I talked to him this morning. He’s had some plays on the bases where he had to test it. He’s had some throws where he’s had to come in and make some throws where it bit (his knee) last time. So he feels great.”
As for when Reddick could be activated, Melvin replied: “Probably pretty soon here. We’ll look to maybe do something after the off-day.”
The question is what move is looming to clear a roster spot for Reddick.
Stephen Vogt is hitting .351, and though he’s 1 for his past 9, he was riding a 12-game hitting streak before that in which he batted .452 (19-for-42). The catcher has also fared well playing first base and right field, so he’s made a case to stay with the big club.
Second baseman Eric Sogard, who began the season playing regularly against right-handed pitchers, has played sparingly of late and is hitting just .186 this season. But he is getting a start Sunday against Orioles right-hander Kevin Gausman, and Melvin and the rest of the front office think highly of his defense.
Utility man Andy Parrino would appear the other candidate to go down. Since being promoted July 12, he’s drawn one start at second base and one in left. He’s 2-for-6 In three games.
In other news, Jed Lowrie is hitting .405 with seven multi-hit games over his last 11 contests. But that does not necessarily mean Lowrie will be rising back toward the top of the batting order. He’s hitting seventh Sunday.
“We have some guys right now who feel comfortable in those spots,” Melvin said. “But he also gives us the versatility where we have a guy like him down in the order, and it gives you the feeling you can score every inning and have a productive guy at the bottom.”
