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Athletics Make Major Roster Decision After Losing Streak Continues on Thursday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Toran Flores | Last updated May 23, 2025 1:30 AM ET

The Athletics began their 2025 season as one of the surprising breakthrough teams after beginning with a record of 22-20 in their first 42 games.

Since then, they have lost their spark and begun a losing streak that's extended to nine straight and 13 of their last 16 games played.

It doesn't seem to help that the losing streak has come from three of the hottest teams in baseball in the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants, and the Los Angeles Angels.

This doesn't stray away from the fact that the A's have run into some struggles of their own.

With a batting average of .145 when runners are in scoring position in the nine-game skid, they look to find answers behind the recent struggles.

Athletics call up outfielder Denzel Clarke on Thursday

Answers have yet to be found, but manager Mark Kotsay has began looking some help in the team's Triple-A affiliate.

According to senior MLB insider Jeff Passan, the Athletics are calling up their No. 5 prospect Denzel Clarke.

The A’s are shaking up their roster amid a nine-game losing streak and calling up centerfielder Denzel Clarke, one of their top prospects, sources tell ESPN. Clarke, 25, is hitting .286/.436/.419 at Triple-A and is excellent defensively. More moves could be coming as well.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) May 23, 2025

Clarke was drafted by the A's in 2021 in the fourth round. He's a cousin to two MLB players in the Diamondbacks' Josh Naylor and the Guardians' Bo Naylor.

Since being called-up to Triple-A for the 2025 season, Clarke has a batting average of .286, a .436 on-base percentage, and a .855 OPS while hitting 21 RBIs in 31 games played.

While Mark Kotsay hasn't made any lineup changes yet, moves appear likely with Clarke joining the 40-man roster.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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