A's promote Bedrosian, option Kolarek

The A’s have added a former longtime foe to their bullpen.

The club selected the contract of right-hander Cam Bedrosian from Triple-A Las Vegas prior to the start of Friday’s three-game series opener against the Angels at Angel Stadium. Oakland transferred right-hander Mike Fiers (right elbow sprain) to the 60-day-IL and optioned left-hander Adam Kolarek to Triple-A to make room on the roster.

Designated for assignment by the Reds on April 17 after posting an 11.12 ERA in six appearances this season, the 29-year-old reliever signed a Minor League deal with the A’s last month. Bedrosian appeared in four games for Las Vegas, recording a save while allowing just two hits and no runs with five strikeouts over five innings.

Reports from Triple-A were encouraging for the A’s, as Bedrosian was reportedly enjoying an uptick in velocity with a fastball in the mid-90s mph. Manager Bob Melvin did not have a specific role in mind for the veteran righty, but said his experience pitching late in games could help the A’s heavily used back-end of the bullpen.

“This was a guy that, once we got him, we felt could be a good fit for us,” Melvin said. “Since he got off to a good start, this was the time to bring him up. He’s got a really good breaking ball that he throws in any count. Gives us a little more depth on the right side.”

Bedrosian’s first appearance for the A’s could come against his former club. He was a first-round pick by the Angels in the 2010 Draft who fared well against Oakland in division battles over the years. In seven seasons with Los Angeles, he recorded a 3.70 ERA across 285 games pitched with 290 strikeouts against 116 walks in 277 2/3 innings.

Though he often frustrated A’s hitters with a 3.47 ERA in 39 career appearances against them as an Angel, Bedrosian recalled plenty of tough at-bats during those encounters.

“I knew right away joining this team that this is a team that plays the right way,” Bedrosian said. “Playing against them for a long time, it was tough. I knew every time I had to go up against them, there was going to be some scrappy guys and it was going to be a fight every time. To be able to join this side is awesome.”