ARLINGTON, Texas -– The A’s reinstated second baseman Alberto Callaspo from the 15-day disabled list Sunday and optioned first baseman Nate Freiman to Triple-A Sacramento.
Callaspo missed 10 games with a strained right hamstring and returns to the A’s after going 1-for-5 in a rehab game with Single-A Stockton on Saturday night.
[RELATED: Reddick's bat making an impact since his return]
Freiman’s demotion wasn’t a shock given the way playing time has been doled out lately. He hit .212 with one homer and six RBI in 14 games since his promotion from Sacramento, but hot-hitting Stephen Vogt has been seeing the lion’s share of time at first base when Brandon Moss isn’t playing there.
The A’s have been linked to the second base trade market, and they have four days until Thursday’s non-waiver trade deadline to perhaps swing a deal. But with Freiman going down, it shows the A’s have confidence that Eric Sogard will continue to turn his season around offensively.
Sogard seemed to be a candidate for demotion when Callaspo returned, but he’s started six of the past 10 games at second and is 6-for-16 over his last five.
The switch-hitting Callaspo, hitting .234 with three homers and 31 RBI, figures to work back into the mix at second, but he also represents a pinch-hitting option off the bench.
