Oakland A's roster cuts: Tyler Ladendorf & Max Muncy optioned to Triple-A

The Oakland Athletics optioned utility man Tyler Ladendorf and corner infielder Max Muncy to minor league camp ahead of Monday's contest against the San Francisco Giants. They were assigned to Triple-A Nashville.

With those moves, there are now 15 players on the 40-man roster listed as infielders or outfielders still with the major league club competing for 11 spots, though out-of-options outfielder Sam Fuld is expected to start the 2016 campaign on the disabled list with a moderate shoulder sprain.

Ladendorf, 28, had a good spring after a broken ankle made him unavailable to be called up for most of 2015 despite a need for a utility player capable of playing up the middle a number of times last year. He was 8-for-22 with a double and a home run with a walk and six strikeouts in 24 plate appearances (.364/.417/.545). Ladendorf should be on the radar for a call up in case of an injury at the big league level.

Muncy, 25, was 5-for-25 with three doubles, two walks, and four strikeouts (.200/.259/.320). He will just squeeze into a Nashville Sounds club that will surely be prioritizing playing time for prospects 3B Renato Nunez, 1B Rangel Ravelo, and 1B/RF Matt Olson. I would guess the nine others that start the year at Triple-A are: INF/OF Tyler Ladendorf, INF Eric Sogard, OF Andrew Lambo, OF Jake Smolinski, 2B Joey Wendle, INF Chad Pinder, C Carson Blair, C/OF/1B Matt McBride, and INF Josh Rodriguez.