A's DFA Tom to make room for Piscotty

Ka'ai Tom, whom the A’s designated for assignment on Tuesday to make room for Stephen Piscotty’s return from the paternity list, was claimed off waivers by the Pirates on Wednesday.

Selected by the A's in December's Rule 5 Draft, Tom appeared in just nine games this season, hitting .063 while also providing a memorable moment during the club’s opening series against the Astros when he took the mound and tossed a scoreless ninth inning in a blowout.

Tom intrigued the A’s after hitting .290 with a .912 OPS to go with 23 home runs, 27 doubles, 10 triples and 86 RBIs in 132 games combined at Double-A and Triple-A in 2019. The 26-year-old outfielder then earned his way onto the Opening Day roster in Spring Training, hitting .310 with a .964 OPS in 12 Cactus League games.

The decision to designate Tom was a difficult one for the A’s. But with fellow outfielder Seth Brown coming up from the club’s alternate training site and moving up the depth chart with a couple of clutch homers early in the season, Tom was stuck in a roster crunch.

“Anybody that plays for me that gets an opportunity to stay in the big leagues, I’m always thrilled,” A’s manager Bob Melvin said. “He was a little bit down after having a good spring to make the team. Now, he gets another chance with probably an easier role in the National League where he’ll get some more regular at-bats.”

Weems optioned
With the A’s reducing their roster to 26 after expanding to 27 for Tuesday’s doubleheader against the Twins, right-hander Jordan Weems was optioned down to the club’s alternate training site in Stockton, Calif., on Wednesday. Appearing in three games, Weems allowed one run in 2 1/3 innings with three strikeouts and one walk.

Left-hander Reymin Guduan, who was reinstated from the 10-day injured list and added to the active roster as the 27th man for Tuesday’s doubleheader, remains with the A’s as a long-relief option out of the bullpen.

Guduan was off to a rough start with the A’s, allowing eight runs on nine hits and three walks in 2 2/3 innings across three relief appearances before landing on the IL on April 6 with a left thumb sprain. However, the lefty impressed the A’s coaching staff during a few rehab appearances at the alternate training site over the past week, reaching up to 96-97 mph with his fastball.

“He looked more in the fashion we saw him in Spring Training,” Melvin said. “Hopefully, that shows up here.”

A's make statement
Following the announcement of the verdict in the George Floyd murder trial in which former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was found guilty of 2nd- and 3rd-degree murder, as well as 2nd-degree manslaughter, the A’s released this statement before the start of Tuesday’s doubleheader:

“Before we take the field tonight versus the Twins, our thoughts continue to be with George Floyd’s family, the Minneapolis community, and others impacted by violence. The jury’s decision is an important step in addressing systemic racism, and we are heartened that there is accountability for George Floyd’s death. We remain committed to doing our part in Oakland to advance equity and inclusion and to support Black communities.”