Oakland Athletics: John Axford Designated For Assignment
By Joey Lopez
The Oakland Athletics continue to make roster changes, as Ryan Dull made his return and John Axford was designated for assignment on Thursday.
John Axford was finally designated for assignment by the A’s on Thursday. Axford, 34, has struggled this season and has been a major disappointment for the A’s.
He went 0-1 with a 6.43 ERA in 21 innings of work this year. Axford has struggled with command this year and has seen his walk rate (15.6%) increase compared to last year (10.4%). Poor command coupled with the fact that Axford got hit hard this year made the decision to part ways with him easier for the A’s.
Last year, Axford performed much better for the A’s. In 68 games last season, Axford went 6-4 with a 3.97 ERA. He also helped complete three saves for the A’s.
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Entering this season, the A’s were hopeful that their bullpen would be a strength. As they demonstrated once again in Thursday’s loss to Toronto, the bullpen has been one of team’s biggest weaknesses.
Ryan Dull Returns
With Axford out of the bullpen, the A’s welcomed Ryan Dull back to the team. Dull was activated from the disabled list on Thursday. Dull, 27, appeared in Thursday’s loss in Toronto and allowed a hit and recorded a strikeout.
The A’s are hopeful that Dull can turn things around after a rough start this year. Dull went 5-5 with a 2.42 ERA over 74.1 innings of work last year. This year, though, Dull owns a 6.06 ERA after a nightmarish month of May.
With injuries behind him, however, Dull can hopefully provide some much needed stability in an A’s bullpen that lacks focus. Sean Doolittle and Ryan Madson are dearly missed.
BoMel Waits For 1,000 Wins
The A’s skipper will have to wait another day to capture his 1,000th career managerial win. Thanks to the team’s shaky bullpen, the A’s were swept out of Toronto and Bob Melvin was left sitting on 999 wins.
Overall, Melvin owns a 999-1012 record. He is 506-504 with Oakland. The A’s will host the Minnesota Twins starting Friday at the Coliseum. Hopefully Melvin won’t have to wait too much longer for that 1,000th win.