Oakland A's MLN: Tharpe Retires

The Oakland A's made a few more moves throughout the system on Saturday. One pitcher retired, another moved teams and a couple of outfielders have completed their rehab assignments. We have the details inside.

On Saturday, the Oakland A's announced that left-hander Derek Tharpe had been placed on the voluntary retirement list. Tharpe, a sixth round pick in 2004, was pitching for Kane County at the time of his retirement. He threw a scoreless inning for the Cougars in their 7-1 win over Peoria on Friday night in what turned out to be his final appearance for the team.

Tharpe made 22 appearances for High-A Stockton and Low-A Kane County this season. All were in relief. He was 0-0 with a 5.50 ERA in 34.1 innings. Tharpe missed all of the 2006 season with injury. In his only full professional season, Tharpe went 2-7 with a 4.67 ERA in 36 appearances (12 starts) for Kane County in 2005.

Taking Tharpe's place on the roster is Eric Sheridan, who was sent down from High-A Stockton. Sheridan, a minor league free agent acquisition in 2006, was 2-3 with a 3.38 ERA in 22 games for the Stockton Ports this season. Sheridan had 43 strikeouts and 31 walks in 37.1 innings for the Ports this season.

The A's also announced that outfielder Danny Putnam would be rejoining the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats on Saturday. He had been with the Stockton Ports as part of his rehabilitation from a broken hand he suffered with Stockton back in May. In nine rehab games with Stockton and the A's Rookie team in Arizona, Putnam had 10 hits in 35 at-bats, including two homers and six RBI.

A's outfielder Bobby Kielty is likely finished with his rehab assignment with Sacramento and he could be activated by the A's at any time. He hit .394 with four doubles in 33 at-bats for the River Cats. Sacramento has also placed Kevin Melillo on the DL with a sprained right wrist.