Mengden recalled to bolster A's bullpen

HOUSTON -- Daniel Mengden rejoined the A's on Monday in a revised role. The right-hander, who at times was their best starter during the first half, will work in relief during a critical three-game series against the Astros this week.
Recalled from Triple-A Nashville, Mengden takes the roster spot of Chris Bassitt, who was optioned following his spot-start in Minneapolis on Sunday. Lefty Sean Manaea, meanwhile, traveled to the Bay Area on Monday to undergo tests on his injured shoulder and will seek the opinion of Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles on Tuesday.
Upon Mengden's promotion, A's manager Bob Melvin deemed him a candidate to take Manaea's rotation spot Thursday. That was before Mengden was needed for four innings out of the bullpen in Monday's 11-4 loss at Minute Maid Park, making it likely that the A's now turn to right-hander Frankie Montas for an assignment against the Mariners.
Mengden had a 4.47 ERA in 16 starts for the A's -- including a 1.51 ERA and .181 opponents' average in six starts in May -- when he suffered a sprained right foot that forced him to the DL on June 24. Once he was healthy, the A's opted to keep him in Nashville; in the meantime, they've upended the American League West race.
"He's a part of this team, and at times he's been a big part of this team," Melvin said. "Part of the reason he was down for a while is because we had some guys that were pitching well and we wanted to continue to keep the depth that we had, and based on the injuries that we had, it was the prudent thing to do, even though a guy like him probably deserved to be here. So it's nice to get him back here."
Said Mengden: "I had to swallow it and do what I'm told, so I went down there, used my time wisely, tried to get a little better, get healthy for when I came back. I've probably watched almost every game since I've been down there. I wish I could have been part of all the fun and excitement they've been going through, but now that I'm back I'm really excited to be a part of it."
The Houston native, who didn't allow a run in his relief debut, hadn't pitched out of the bullpen since his early professional days with the organization that drafted him: the Astros.
"As of right now, they told me I'm going to be in the bullpen," Mengden said, "so I'm going to take it one day at a time and do what I can to help this team win."