KANSAS CITY -- The A's called up one of their top hitting prospects ahead of Thursday's series finale against the Royals.

With Khris Davis on paternity leave for the birth of his second child, Sheldon Neuse's contract was purchased from Triple-A Las Vegas. In order to clear a spot on the 40-man roster, the A's designated left-hander Wei-Chung Wang for assignment.

Neuse, Oakland's No. 8 prospect per MLB Pipeline, was acquired in a 2017 trade with the Nationals that also netted the A's No. 1 prospect Jesus Luzardo and reliever Blake Treinen in exchange for Ryan Madson and Sean Doolittle. Neuse has received most of his playing time at third base with Triple-A Las Vegas this season, though he's recently been getting more starts at second base over the past week. The 24-year-old brings some impressive numbers at the plate, slashing .317/.389/.550 with 27 home runs and 102 RBIs in 126 games with Las Vegas.

"This is a guy that two springs ago had about as good of a spring as anybody on the team," A's manager Bob Melvin said. "He has a really good approach. He hits the ball to all fields with power, and he's more versatile this year. He's having a good year, and we reward those guys."

Davis, who was originally penciled into Oakland's starting lineup as the designated hitter for Wednesday's game against the Royals, received word that his wife, Jill, was in labor. Davis left the club just a few hours before the 5:15 p.m. PT start, with Corban Joseph getting the start in place of Davis and batting ninth in a 6-4 loss.

Davis gets up to three days away from the team to be with his wife for the birth of their second child, putting him in line for a return Sunday for the final game of a three-game series at Yankee Stadium. With rosters expanding from 25 players to 40 on Sunday, Neuse could remain with Oakland once Davis returns.

Neuse was still en route to Kauffman Stadium on Thursday morning, but he was expected to arrive in time for the 10:15 a.m. PT start and be available off the bench. As for what position he might play in his time up here, Melvin said Neuse could initially fill in for Davis at DH before getting some time at second and third base.

When a player's contract is designated for assignment -- often abbreviated "DFA" -- that player is immediately removed from his club's 40-man roster, and 25-man roster if he was on that as well. Within seven days of the transaction (it was previously 10 days), the player must be released or placed on irrevocable outright waivers.

Chapman feeling better

After getting nailed with a 90.7-mph pitch from Royals starter Jakob Junis that caught the side of his helmet in Wednesday's game, Matt Chapman took most of Thursday off before entering the game as a defensive replacement for Chad Pinder at third base in the ninth inning of a 9-8 win over the Royals.

Before Thursday's game, Melvin provided an update on Chapman, who arrived to the clubhouse feeling better.

"He's got a little bit of a headache today, but I haven't heard anything that would suggest it's a concussion-type thing," Melvin said. "It is a very prudent thing to keep him out of today's game, though. A lot of times, that's when you get your heart rate going after one of those things. Last thing we want to do is put him in the game and take him out."

After his brief cameo in Thursday's win, Melvin said he expects the All-Star to start Friday night's series opener against the Yankees in New York.