Oakland A's call up Jake Smolinski, option Chris Bassitt to Triple-A

The Oakland Athletics recalled right-handed batting outfielder Jake Smolinski from the Triple-A Nashville Sounds ahead of Tuesday's game against the New York Yankees in Yankee Stadium. The A's optioned right-handed pitcher Chris Bassitt to Triple-A after he made two starts for the Athletics in place of an ailing Sonny Gray. Gray is expected to rejoin the rotation for Tuesday afternoon's contest. The A's had been playing with a short bench for the last week.

The A's claimed Smolinski, 26, from the Texas Rangers on June 21 after the Rangers waived him to make room for Ryan Rua's activation from the 60-day disabled list. In the majors, Smolinski got off to a tough start, going just for 8-for-60 with a double and a home run, though he did draw 11 walks while striking out 20 times.

Smolinski got hot during his two weeks with Nashville, going 19-for-44 with seven doubles and two home runs while walking three times and striking out four times. This goes well with his overall Triple-A batting line of .427/.469/.764 in 98 plate appearances between Round Rock and Nashville.

Oakland may insert Smolinski into the starting lineup on Wednesday when the A's face left-hander CC Sabathia. In his major league career, Smolinski has hit .291/.375/.509 against lefties over 64 plate appearances with three doubles and three home runs.

Chris Bassitt returns to the Nashville Sounds after making two starts for the A's in place of Sonny Gray, who was hospitalized with salmonella-related gastroenteritis. He tossed 10⅔ innings over his two starts and allowed just three runs while striking out six and walking one. He took the loss in both games, however, with the A's losing both by the score of 2-1.