A’s Activate Jed Lowrie

The A’s announced they’ve reinstated infielder Jed Lowrie from the COVID-19 injured list. Fellow infielder Kevin Smith, meanwhile, is back from the 10-day injured list. In corresponding moves, Oakland optioned outfielder Mickey McDonald and returned right-hander Ryan Castellani to Triple-A Las Vegas.

Lowrie returns after a 10-day absence. He appeared in seven games before hitting the injured list, seeing action at each of designated hitter, first base and second base. The veteran has collected five hits and three walks through his first 23 trips to the plate. Smith was the A’s primary third baseman for the first couple weeks of the season. He started slow, going 5-31 with two walks and ten strikeouts before hitting the IL with a bone bruise in his left ankle.

Castellani was selected as a COVID “substitute” a couple weeks ago. That designation means Oakland could take him off the 40-man roster as they got healthier without exposing him to waivers. Castellani, who signed a minor league deal over the winter, worked 2 2/3 scoreless innings over three appearances with the big league club. He’ll try to work his back onto the 40-man roster permanently with Las Vegas.