The A’s optioned first baseman Ryan Noda to Triple-A Las Vegas following right this moment’s win over the Pirates. Oakland hasn’t introduced a corresponding transfer, however MLB.com’s Martín Gallegos tweets that they might reinstate third baseman J.D. Davis from the 10-day injured checklist earlier than Friday’s collection opener in opposition to the Marlins.
It’s a fast flip of occasions for the A’s Opening Day first baseman. The second decide within the 2022 Rule 5 draft, Noda not solely caught on the roster however was considered one of Oakland’s finest hitters as a rookie. He hit 16 homers with a .229/.364/.406 slash by 495 plate appearances. Between a really affected person method and below-average contact charge, Noda struck out at an enormous 34.3% clip. But he additionally walked at a large 15.6% charge — a prime ten mark in MLB — and hit for sufficient energy to be a productive offensive participant.
That has not been the case in 2024. An 0-4 displaying this afternoon dropped his season line to .128/.242/.198 in precisely 100 journeys to the dish. Noda has taken one other 12 free passes, however he has punched out 32 instances. He hasn’t performed any type of injury, hitting only one homer and a trio of doubles. That longball and one of many doubles got here in opposition to the Guardians on April 20. Noda doesn’t have a knock since then, as he has gone hitless in his final 11 appearances.
Skipper Mark Kotsay has continued to offer Noda common run in opposition to right-handed pitching. They’ll have to go in one other course for not less than the subsequent couple of weeks whereas he works to get again on monitor within the Pacific Coast League. Change-hitting Abraham Toro has moved to first base for the A’s final two video games in opposition to left-handed starters. Max Schuemann has stepped in at Toro’s customary second base spot for these contests.
If Davis is certainly able to return from the adductor pressure that has value him the previous two weeks, he’ll doubtless return to 3rd base. That might push Tyler Nevin throughout the diamond. The best-handed hitting Nevin, whom the A’s claimed off waivers from the Orioles a month in the past, linked on his fourth homer of the season in right this moment’s recreation and is as much as a .325/.375/.500 slash over 88 plate appearances.