A's bring up Saarloos

Sports Network | August 18, 2008

Oakland, CA (Sports Network) - The Oakland Athletics purchased the contract of pitcher Kirk Saarloos from Triple-A Sacramento on Monday.

Saarloos went 1-5 with a 7.17 earned run average with Cincinnati last season after compiling a 19-17 record with Oakland from 2004-06. He owns a 28-30 record with two saves and a 4.96 ERA in 159 career games -- 72 starts -- with Houston, Oakland and Cincinnati.

The 29-year-old righty has appeared in two games this year for the Athletics, striking out one in 7 2/3 innings of work. He will take the roster spot of Dan Meyer, who was optioned to Sacramento following Sunday's game against the White Sox.

To make room for Saarloos on the 40-man roster, Oakland designated first baseman Wes Bankston for assignment. Bankston hit .203 with a homer and four runs batted in 17 games over two stints with the A's this year.