CINCINNATI -- With Rich Hill on the disabled list and Jesse Hahn sent down to Triple-A to work out his struggles, the A's had an open spot in their rotation for Tuesday's game against the Rangers.
On Sunday, the A's announced that left-hander Eric Surkamp would once again get the call to take a turn in the rotation. This marks the fourth time Surkamp has been recalled to the Majors since the start of the season to make a spot start.
"We have a mix of guys, and when somebody goes down, there's an opportunity for somebody else, and he's in that mix," A's manager Bob Melvin said. "He's been up several times and continues to get opportunities because of, in this case, injury."
Surkamp has struggled for the most part in his Major League outings, posting a 6.41 ERA over 26 2/3 innings in six starts. Surkamp has yet to complete the sixth inning this season, and he's finished the fifth just once.
"He has to go out and be consistent and get some outs," Melvin said. "He hasn't gotten deep into games for us. That's what he's looking to do come Tuesday. But [Surkamp is] still trying to work his way into being a consistent part of the rotation, which he hasn't been yet."
Surkamp's last Major League outing came against the Twins on May 31 when he allowed three runs and eight hits over 4 2/3 innings. In the Minors, he's had much more success, going 3-1 with a 3.07 ERA over five starts. In his last outing on June 6, Surkamp pitched 6 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing five hits and striking out six.
With Hill likely missing at least a couple starts, this could turn into a more permanent stay in the Majors for Surkamp, but Melvin says he'd have to prove himself to stay.
"I think anybody [has a chance in the rotation] at this point in time right now if you perform," Melvin said. "We've showed here that if you perform you stay, if you don't, sometimes you get sent down."
The Athletics will have to make room on their 25-man roster for Surkamp on Tuesday. Surkamp will be the fourth player recalled by the Athletics since Friday, with Max Muncy, Zach Neal and Daniel Mengden being recalled over the weekend.