A's Make More Spring Cuts

On Friday, the Oakland A's announced three more spring cuts, sending three outfielders back to Papago Park.

For the second consecutive day, the Oakland A's made roster cuts from their major league camp. On Thursday, the team sent four pitchers and a catcher back to their minor league complex. On Friday, the team sent three outfielders back to Papago.

Richie Robnett and Javier Herrera, both members of the A's 40-man roster, were optioned back to Triple-A Sacramento. Non-roster outfielder Danny Putnam was reassigned to minor league camp. The A's now have 53 players in their major league camp.

Robnett appeared in only one major league spring game, but he made a big impact. He went 2-3 with a homer and a triple in the A's 23-5 win over San Francisco. The power-hitting outfielder is entering his first season on the A's 40-man roster and is a strong candidate to start the season in Triple-A.

Herrera didn't appear in any of the A's major league spring games. The five-tool outfielder has struggled with hamstring problems since last season and may not be 100 percent recovered. Herrera has been stung with the injury bug for the past two seasons. He missed all of the 2006 campaign after undergoing Tommy John surgery on his right elbow. Last season, he missed most of the second half of the season and all of the Winter League season with hamstring problems. He is likely to report to Double-A Midland once he is healthy.

Putnam appeared in only one game this spring. He had a walk and a strike-out and scored a run. Putnam, who was removed from the 40-man roster just before camp, is another candidate to play at Triple-A this season. The Stanford alum made his major-league debut with the A's last April. Much of his 2007 season was hampered by a broken hand, however.

Today is the official reporting date for all position players at the A's minor league camp at Papago Park. Pitchers and catchers have been practicing at Papago since March 3. The A's minor leaguers start spring games on March 12. For a complete look at the minor league spring schedule, please click here.