The Oakland Athletics placed left-hander Dallas Braden on the
15-day disabled list with shoulder stiffness Monday and swung a
trade with Toronto for lefty reliever David Purcey. Purcey will
join the big league bullpen, A’s assistant general manager David
Forst said. That means either Tyson Ross or Bobby Cramer, both
pitching in relief, remain the likely candidates to take Braden’s
rotation spot.
OAKLAND
The Oakland Athletics placed left-hander Dallas Braden on the 15-day disabled list with shoulder stiffness Monday and swung a trade with Toronto for lefty reliever David Purcey.
Purcey will join the big league bullpen, A’s assistant general manager David Forst said. That means either Tyson Ross or Bobby Cramer, both pitching in relief, remain the likely candidates to take Braden’s rotation spot.
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Braden left Saturday’s start against Detroit after five innings when his shoulder began bothering him. He was examined by a team orthopedist Sunday, but Forst said the team doesn’t know the seriousness of the injury.
Braden was noticeably down on Sunday, saying it was soreness that he’d never felt before in the shoulder.
“We’re still hopeful that it’s not serious,” Forst said. “We don’t have anything definitive as of yet.”
Braden is eligible to come off the disabled list on May 2.
To get Purcey, the A’s sent minor league reliever Danny Farquhar back to Toronto. The A’s had acquired Farquhar from the Jays in the offseason as part of the Rajai Davis trade.
Purcey, who turns 29 on Friday, was 0-0 with an 11.57 ERA in five relief appearances with Toronto this season. The Blue Jays designated him for assignment April 12.
Purcey has a fastball in the 93-94 mph range, but command has been an issue for him.
If the A’s tapped Ross to start, Purcey’s addition would give the A’s five left-handed relievers. But when right-hander Michael Wuertz returns from the disabled list, a lefty likely would be sent down.
To make room for Purcey on the 40-man roster, the A’s transferred pitcher Rich Harden from the 15-day to 60-day D.L. He’s been slow to recover from a muscle injury in his right side.
— Story by Joe Stiglich, Contra Costa Times
