In a somewhat surprising move, the A's announced that they have optioned Nick Allen and Adam Oller to Triple-A Las Vegas. They have also recalled lefty Hogan Harris and utility-man Tyler Wade. Cal Stevenson, acquired as part of the Christian Bethancourt deal with the Tampa Bay Rays last season, was designated for assignment to clear room for Wade on the 40-man.
Adam Oller tossed 81 pitches in a spot start for the A's in Baltimore on Thursday. He went just 2.1 innings, gave up 8 hits, 7 ER, walked one and struck out two. Sending him down is likely more about getting a fresh arm up to Oakland while allowing Oller to continue working as a starter.
Nick Allen's demotion is the surprising one. Thought by many to be the shortstop of the future, Allen just hasn't gotten much of an opportunity to play yet this season, and when he has, he's been ineffective with the bat. He has just one hit (which came Thursday in Baltimore) in 16 at-bats, but he has also played in just eight of the A's 13 games, and three of those appearances have been as a defensive replacement.
With the arrival of Kevin Smith earlier this week, finding regular playing time for Nick Allen was only going to come with a trip to Las Vegas.
Hogan Harris, 26, will be making his Major League debut whenever he gets into a game. He is the team's #23 prospect and has been plagued by injuries throughout his career, including missing the 2021 campaign as he recovered from Tommy John. Last season between three levels (Lansing, Midland, Vegas) Harris accumulated a 3.42 ERA across 73.2 innings and racked up 105 strikeouts. Walks proved to be a bit of an issue at all three stops.
This season with the Aviators he has started two games and has totaled 4.1 innings, given up 3 ER on 3 hits, walked 9, and struck out 5. He gives the A's a long relief option from the left side, and also a second left-hander out of the bullpen to pair with Sam Moll.
Tyler Wade has 331 games of big league experience, primarily with the New York Yankees, and has hit .214 with a .291 OBP across 654 plate appearances. He was off to a solid start with Las Vegas, batting .286 with a .405 on-base, six walks and seven strikeouts. He has also stolen seven bases in ten games, so we could see him as late-inning pinch runner. Wade has played second, short, centerfield, right field, and third base this season.
Cal Stevenson played 23 games with the A's last season, batting .167 with a .261 OBP. The 26-year-old outfielder was off to a hot start with Vegas, batting .348 with a .483 on-base, six walks, three strikeouts, and three stolen bases through seven games.
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