A's claim INF Clement from Cleveland; recalled LHP Selman from Las Vegas
RHP Payamps Placed on Injured List
OAKLAND, Calif. — The Oakland Athletics claimed infielder Ernie Clement off waivers from the Cleveland Guardians, recalled left-handed pitcher Sam Selman from Triple-A Las Vegas and placed right-handed pitcher Joel Payamps on the 15-day injured list with a strained lumbar muscle, the club announced today.
Clement was on the Opening Day roster for the Guardians and was batting .200 with three doubles, six RBI and a .485 OPS in 64 games when he was optioned to Triple-A Columbus on Aug. 3. He started 17 games at third base, 10 at second base, eight in left field, one at first base and also pitched twice. The 26-year-old right-handed hitter also batted .238 with four home runs, 17 RBI and a .729 OPS in 21 games with the Clippers. Clement was originally selected by Cleveland in the fourth round of the 2017 draft and hit .231 with three home runs and nine RBI in 40 games last year in his Major League debut. He has a .214 career average in 104 games in two seasons in the majors.
Selman joins the A’s for the fifth time this year and has a 4.30 ERA, .222 opponents batting average and .702 OPS in 12 relief appearances over his first four stints. He appeared in three games during his most recent stay with Oakland from July 25 to Aug. 12, allowing a run, a hit and a walk in 3.2 innings. The 31-year-old left-hander had two saves and a 5.73 ERA in 10 relief appearances with Las Vegas following his Aug. 13 option and is 2-0 with six saves, a 2.83 ERA, .164 opponents batting average and .546 OPS in 28 games overall with the Aviators.
Payamps was claimed off waivers from Kansas City on Aug. 20 and was 1-3 with a 3.46 ERA in 12 relief appearances with the A’s. He did not not walk a batter in 13.0 innings. Payamps also pitched in 29 games for the Royals and was 3-6 with a 3.45 ERA and .746 opponents OPS in 44 relief appearances overall.