Oakland A’s go shorthanded on infield to call up Jesse Hahn, option Arismendy Alcantara

The Oakland A’s have optioned utility player Arismendy Alcantara to Triple-A Nashville to activate Sunday’s starting pitcher, Jesse Hahn. The A’s will again play without an obvious backup in the middle infield to play behind second baseman Jed Lowrie and shortstop Marcus Semien.

Hahn is starting in place of Rich Hill, who remains unavailable due to a blister. Hill last started on July 17, and the latest date to take full advantage of the 10-day maximum for backdating a placement on the disabled list is July 28.

Bruce Maxwell will make his first major league start while Josh Reddick remains on the bench, though it’s not yet known if that’s because the A’s are facing a left-handed pitcher in Blake Snell or because of the back issue that forced him to be scratched from Saturday’s lineup.

Coco Crisp was scratched from today’s lineup with neck soreness, so Danny Valencia will make his second career start in right field. Valencia was playing first base, but Yonder Alonso will start there instead:

If the A’s want to recall utility players Tyler Ladendorf or Arismendy Alcantara after Hahn’s start, they will have to put someone, perhaps Rich Hill, on the disabled list in order to get around the 10-day minimum rule for players optioned to the minor leagues. Joey Wendle is the only other middle infield option on the 40-man roster. Colin Walsh and Chad Pinder are options not yet on the 40-man.