Oakland A’s activate Khris Davis, option Carlos Ramirez

The Oakland A’s activated DH Khris Davis from the disabled list on Thursday, the team announced. To make room on the roster, reliever Carlos Ramirez was optioned to Triple-A Nashville.

Khrush was on the DL with a strained groin, suffered during the final game of the recent East Coast road trip. Fortunately the injury wasn’t serious, and he missed only the minimum 10 days (nine games and an off-day) while recovering. His powerful bat is an important cog in the A’s offense.

Khrush, 2018: .235/.307/.497, 118 wRC+, 13 HR, 7.3% BB, 25.9% Ks

The slugger’s return comes not a moment too soon, as in his absence Oakland’s lineup has floundered. In the first nine games of this current homestand they scored only 15 total runs, including three shutouts. That team-wide slump can’t be entirely because of Khrush, but reinserting a perennial 40-homer hitter certainly seems like one good way to help get things turned back around.

Meanwhile, Ramirez returns to Triple-A after making his A’s debut on Thursday. He threw two scoreless innings against the Rays, allowing some baserunners but escaping thanks to a pair of double plays. Oakland is now back to their normal eight relievers and three-man bench.

Ramirez, 2018 OAK: 0.00 ERA, 2 ip, 0 Ks, 1 BB, 1 hit, 6.12 FIP

We can expect to see the right-hander again this season, as the A’s tend to have several optionable MLB-ready relievers who can taxi back and forth to Triple-A as needed. Ramirez was the last to pitch, so he’s the odd man out this time while everyone else is rested.

Updated roster:

3-day Paternity: SS Marcus Semien (boy)

10-day DL: RHP Andrew Triggs (triceps), LHP Brett Anderson (shoulder), RHP Santiago Casilla (shoulder), RHP Liam Hendriks (groin), LHP Ryan Buchter (shoulder), OF Boog Powell (knee)

60-day DL: RHP Jharel Cotton (TJS), RHP Paul Blackburn (forearm strain)