Athletics announced a number of left-handed roster moves this afternoon AJ Puk reinstated from the Covid IL. outfielder Mickey McDonald was selected by Triple-A Las Vegas. infielder Kevin Smith went to Covid IL as a southpaw Zach Logue was optioned to Las Vegas.
Puk was one of six A-players to land on the Covid IL on Monday, without specifying at the time which players had actually tested positive and which were just close contacts or had symptoms. Since Puk was the first of this group to return, it was possible he was just a close contact and not one of the positive cases. Players who test positive are subject to a 10-day absence, although it is possible to reduce this if the player has gone 24 or more hours without a fever, has received two negative PCR tests and has the approval of a team doctor and the Common MLB/MLBPA Committee (a panel of one league-appointed doctor and one union-appointed doctor). Players who have symptoms but have not tested positive can return in less time if their symptoms subside. The left-hander had a rough season in 2021 but has started well this year, throwing 4 innings with a 2.25 ERA, 31.3% strikeout rate and 6.3% walk rate.
As for McDonald, once he gets into a game it will be his MLB debut. Selected by the A’s in the 18th round of the 2017 draft, he was recently ranked No. 32 in the Oakland system by Baseball America. The BA report on the 26-year-old (27 in June) notes that he “fits the A-shape as an older, under-the-radar performer with no obvious carrying tool.” They note he gave up switch hitting to hit exclusively left-handed in 2021, with stellar results. In 106 games last year between Double-A and Triple-A, he hit .305/.402/.390 for a wRC+ of 113. He’s never hit more than two home runs in a minor league season, but he’s got that lack again made up for pop with good disc discipline and some speed (18 steals in the last year). He can play all three outfield positions and even a bit of third base. For an Oakland club that has traded away many of its established players, McDonald will join the group of inexperienced lads who get an audition to see what they can do.
Smith and Logue were both acquired by the A’s from the Blue Jays as part of the Matt Chapman act. Smith has .161/.212/.226 over 33 plate appearances so far this year. Logue has pitched 1 1/3 innings scoreless in his first taste of MLB action.