Oakland Athletics are making critically important roster moves,placing rookie first baseman Nick Kurtz on the 10-day injured list and calling up outfielder Drew Avans from Triple-A Las Vegas. In a separate transaction, the A’s acquired left-handed pitcher sean Newcomb from the Boston Red Sox for an undisclosed cash consideration.These changes necessitate further adjustments to the 40-man roster, leading to the designation for assignment of left-handed pitcher Matt Krook and right-handed pitcher Ryan Cusick. Additionally, outfielder/first baseman seth Brown has cleared waivers and been outrighted to Las Vegas.

Kurtz’s Promising Start Halted by Injury

Nick kurtz, who was selected from Las Vegas on April 23, has been placed on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to May 25, due to a strained left hip flexor. Despite the setback, Kurtz made a notable impact in his Major League debut, batting .245 with five home runs and 15 RBI in 28 games. He is currently tied for fifth among all rookies in home runs and tied for ninth in RBI. His recent performance was particularly notable: Kurtz was 7-for-17 (.412) with four home runs, nine RBI, five runs and five walks over his last five games.

Avans Set for MLB debut After Stellar Minor League Performance

Drew Avans is set to make his Major League debut after being selected from Triple-A Las Vegas. The 28-year-old outfielder has been tearing up the Pacific Coast League, batting .326 with four home runs, 34 RBI, 30 walks, a.414 on-base percentage, and 16 stolen bases in 48 games. Avans leads all of minor league baseball in hits (62) and tops the Pacific Coast League in runs scored (41). He also ranks second in the PCL in stolen bases, fourth in batting, fifth in on-base percentage, tied for seventh in RBI, and tied for eighth in walks. Avans has experience playing all three outfield positions, with 21 starts in left field, 20 in centre field, and four in right field. He was originally drafted by the Dodgers in the 33rd round of the 2018 First-Year Player draft and signed a minor league contract with the A’s on Nov. 20, 2024. His minor league career stats are impressive: a .277 batting average with 55 home runs, 315 RBI, a .370 on-base percentage, and 177 stolen bases in 691 games over seven seasons.

Newcomb Returns to Oakland

Sean newcomb is rejoining the Athletics after being acquired from the Boston Red Sox. This season, Newcomb is 0-4 with a 3.95 ERA, 41 strikeouts, and 17 walks in 41.0 innings pitched across 12 appearances, including five starts. Newcomb previously played for the A’s in 2023 and 2024 before being designated for assignment last July. His career record stands at 28-29 with a 4.46 ERA and 479 strikeouts in 472.0 innings of work. The A’s are hoping Newcomb can provide stability and experience to their pitching staff.

Roster Adjustments: Krook, Cusick DFA’d, Brown Outrighted

To make room for the new additions, the athletics have made several roster adjustments. Matt Krook, who was selected from Las Vegas on May 16, has been designated for assignment. Krook allowed two runs on five hits and a walk while striking out three in 3.1 innings over three relief appearances in his Major League debut. Prior to his call-up, he was 3-1 with a 3.21 ERA in 12 relief appearances with the Aviators.Ryan Cusick, who joined the A’s organization in 2022 from Atlanta in the Matt Olson trade, has also been designated for assignment. This year,he is 1-0 with a 6.75 ERA, 11 strikeouts, and 13 walks in 14.2 innings pitched with Las Vegas. Seth Brown, who was hitting .192 with a home run and three RBI in 33 games, has cleared waivers and been outrighted to las Vegas.