Athletics Select Garrett Acton, Activate Aledmys Diaz

The A’s have announced a series of roster moves this morning, as the club selected the contract of right-hander Garrett Acton and activated infielder Aledmys Diaz from the 10-day injured list. To clear room for the pair on the active roster, right-hander James Kaprielian and infielder Kevin Smith have been optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas.

Acton, 25, joined the A’s organization in 2021 and has a career 4.37 ERA in 148 1/3 minor league innings. His first appearance with the A’s this season will be his major league debut. Acton joins the roster alongside the return of Diaz, who joined the A’s on a two-year, $14MM deal this offseason. Diaz struggled badly to open the season with Oakland, slashing just .153/.226/.212 in 93 plate appearances before heading to the IL. While Diaz’s struggles with the bat were pronounced, he did show off his trademark versatility, appearing at all four infield spots prior to his IL stint.

Making room for the duo on the roster are Smith, 26, and Kaprielian, 29. Smith provides a similar versatility to Diaz, with experience at both outfield corners and all four infield spots throughout his career to this point. Since coming over to the A’s as part of the Matt Chapman trade, Smith has slashed just .181/.212/.307 in 233 plate appearances with the club. Kaprielian, meanwhile, was a first round pick by the Yankees in the 2015 draft, and made his debut for Oakland in 2020. Despite his draft pedigree, Kaprielian has struggled mightily in the big leagues during parts of four seasons with the A’s, posting a 4.69 ERA (84 ERA+) in 280 innings of work. That figure includes a ghastly 10.17 ERA in 23 innings this season.