The A’s reinstated outfielder Ramon Laureano from the 10-day injured list, the team announced. Outfielder Skye Bolt was optioned to Triple-A in the corresponding move.
A strained right hip sent Laureano to the IL on May 28 (retroactively), so he’ll return after missing just short of three weeks. The injury interrupted an excellent campaign for “Laser Ramon,” who was hitting .257/.332/.503 with 11 home runs over 205 plate appearances.
After an average 2020 season at the plate, this year’s performance is much closer to the numbers Laureano posted in 2018-19, increasing his all-around value to Oakland. Laureano’s center field defense has been either around average (0 Outs Above Average, -1 Defensive Runs Saved) or better than average (+4.9 UZR/150) depending on your metric of choice, but Laureano has nonetheless been a big contributor to the Athletics’ rise to first place in the AL West.
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