Slumping A's DFA Brown, option Bleday as part of 10-player shuffle
The slumping Athletics shook up their roster Friday in an effort to end their nine-game losing streak.
The A's optioned starting center fielder JJ Bleday to Triple-A Las Vegas and designated outfielder Seth Brown, a longtime member of the club, for assignment as part of a 10-player roster shuffle.
Outfielder Denzel Clarke, ranked as the A's No. 8 prospect by Baseball America, was one of five players called to the majors from Triple-A on Friday. Left-hander Jacob Lopez and corner infielder CJ Alexander were also recalled, while catcher Willie MacIver and infielder/outfielder Logan Davidson were promoted to the big leagues for the first time.
This was Brown's seventh season with the A's and 10th in their organization, making him by far the team's longest-tenured member. The former 19th-rounder reached the 20-homer mark in each of his first two full big-league seasons, including a career-high 25 in 2022.
However, Brown hasn't posted an OPS above .700 since that 2022 campaign. The 32-year-old, who has one more year of arbitration remaining, started just 19 games this year and was hitting .192/.311/.288 with one homer, three RBIs, and 17 strikeouts before being cut.
Bleday entered this year as the A's starting center fielder but lost that job after failing to repeat his breakout 2024 campaign. The 27-year-old put up a .762 OPS with 20 homers last season but hit just .204/.291/.365 with six homers and 18 RBIs over 47 games in 2025. He also played poor defense, contributing minus-6 defensive runs saved in center.
The A's are hoping Clarke will improve their production in center field. The 25-year-old Toronto native was hitting .286/.436/.419 with 21 RBIs, seven steals, and 29 walks over 133 plate appearances at Triple-A before his call-up. Clarke's best attributes are his speed and base-stealing abilities, as well as his defense.
MacIver, 28, hit .389/.469/.548 with two homers and 30 RBIs in 35 games as a catcher and DH at Las Vegas this year. He'll presumably serve as Shea Langeliers' primary backup.
Davidson was hitting .303/.452/.428 with two homers and 22 RBIs over 186 PAs at Triple-A. The 2019 first-rounder started games at all four infield positions, as well as left field, this season.
Lopez has shuttled between West Sacramento and Las Vegas this year, making four appearances in the majors. He'll start Friday's game against the Philadelphia Phillies, according to Martín Gallegos of MLB.com. Alexander made his big-league debut with Kansas City last summer.
In addition to sending out Brown and Bleday, the A's also optioned right-hander Carlos Duran and catcher Jhonny Pereda to Triple-A. Duran allowed three earned runs in one-third of an inning during his big-league debut Thursday. Pereda made waves by striking out Shohei Ohtani late in a blowout loss last week but put up a .480 OPS in 16 games at his regular position.
The A's also placed third baseman Gio Urshela on the 10-day injured list with a left hamstring strain and cleared a 40-man roster spot by moving second baseman Zack Gelof to the 60-day IL.
The A's started their maiden season in West Sacramento strong but have fallen off of late. Thursday's loss to the Los Angeles Angels was their ninth straight and dropped them seven games back of first-place Seattle.