Saarloos Recalled; Hernandez DFA'd

On Monday, the Oakland A’s today recalled former fifth starter Kirk Saarloos from Triple-A Sacramento and designated rookie right-hander Fernando Hernandez for assignment.

Kirk Saarloos, who last pitched for the Oakland A's in 2006, has been recalled from Triple-A Sacramento, the Oakland A's announced on Monday. The right-hander was a member of the A's pitching staff during parts of the 2004, 2005 and 2006 seasons. To make room for Saarloos on the roster, the A's designated rookie and Rule 5 pick Fernando Hernandez for assignment.

Saarloos was tonight's scheduled starter for Sacramento against Las Vegas. He is likely to move into the A's bullpen, where he can act as a long reliever and spot starter.

Replacing Saarloos in the River Cats' starting rotation on Monday will be right-hander Jason Glushon, who pitched for the A's Rookie League team and Double-A Midland last season. The Vanderbilt graduate has made two relief appearances for Sacramento this season, allowing one run in three innings of work. Right-hander Graham Godfrey has been promoted to Triple-A from High-A Stockton to take Saarloos' spot on the roster. Godfrey has allowed one run in 6.1 innings for Stockton this season.

The A's are in need of a fresh arm in the bullpen after seeing two of their starters land on the disabled list already this season. Those injuries have forced the A's to push long reliever Lenny DiNardo into the starting rotation and recall rookie Greg Smith from Sacramento.

Saarloos has made two starts for the River Cats this season. The right-hander was 2-0 with a 2.45 ERA in 11 innings. He had allowed 13 hits and one walk. Saarloos struck-out seven. He signed with the A's as a minor league free agent during the off-season and was cut from the A's major league spring training camp only a few days before the team left for the season-opening series in Japan. From 2004-06, Saarloos was 19-17 with a 4.42 ERA in 70 games, 48 starts, with the A's.

Hernandez was selected in the Rule 5 draft from the Chicago White Sox organization last December. He made his major-league debut in Toronto on Wednesday and earned the win. However, he had a rough time in Cleveland over the weekend, allowing six runs on four hits and two walks in two innings. Hernandez will be placed on waivers. If he clears waivers, he will have to be offered back to the White Sox for half of what the A's paid to acquire him during the Rule 5 draft. If the White Sox decline to take Hernandez back, the A's can outright him to the minor leagues.

Hernandez is the second player that the A's have designated for assignment in the past week. First baseman Dan Johnson was designated for assignment last week when the team was in Toronto.