Outrighted: Bruce Maxwell, Osmer Morales
Here are today’s outright assignments, which come in the wake of a wide slate of 40-man roster moves at the outset of September…
- Athletics catcher Bruce Maxwell cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Nashville, the team announced via press release. Maxwell, 27, has been a lightning rod for criticism following his decision last season to take a knee during the National Anthem and his offseason arrest for aggravated assault. Though Athletics brass gave Maxwell a public vote of confidence as his court proceedings were ongoing, the Oakland organization ultimately bumped Maxwell down the depth chart by signing Jonathan Lucroy. On the field, Maxwell has struggled through a terrible season, hitting .182/.207/.309 in a small sample of 58 Major League plate appearances and just .219/.300/.281 through 200 PAs at the Triple-A level.
- The Angels announced that right-hander Osmer Morales cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Salt Lake. Morales, 25, received an extremely brief call to the Majors, appearing in just one game, facing two batters, and recording one out. He’ll head back to the minors and hope for a lengthier audition in the future. The righty had solid numbers in 50 1/3 innings in Triple-A last season but was rocked for a 6.44 ERA with 8.2 K/9, 5.0 BB/9 and 1.4 HR/9 in 102 innings with Salt Lake this season.
Angels Claim Luke Farrell, Designate Osmer Morales
The Angels have claimed righty Luke Farrell off waivers from the Cubs, per a club announcement. To create space on the 40-man roster, the Halos designated Osmer Morales for assignment.
Tonight’s starter, Matt Shoemaker, also needed a 40-man spot after returning from the 60-day DL. He’ll change places with first baseman/DH Albert Pujols, who was shifted to the 60-day DL after undergoing season-ending surgery recently.
Farrell, 27, was knocked off the Cubs’ 40-man roster recently to make way for some preferred late-season roster assets. He has managed only a 5.17 ERA through 31 1/3 MLB frames on the season, though he did post 11.2 K/9 (on the basis of a much-improved 11.4% swinging-strike rate) to go with 4.6 BB/9.
As for the 25-year-old Morales, he recently made his first MLB appearance but obviously did not have a clear place in the organization’s near-future plans. In 102 innings at Triple-A this year, he carried a 6.44 ERA with 8.2 K/9 against 5.0 BB/9.
Angels Select Contract Of Osmer Morales
The Angels have selected the contract of right-hander Osmer Morales, per a club announcement. Fellow righty Eduardo Paredes was optioned to create active roster space.
Morales, 25, receives his first shot at the majors despite the fact that he’s carrying only a 6.22 ERA in 92 2/3 Triple-A frames on the season. He has long carried appealing K/BB rates in the minors, but is generating just 8.1 K/9 against 5.1 BB/9 thus far this year.
As the Halos get a look at Morales, they’ll send the 23-year-old Paredes back to Triple-A. He has generally performed well in the minors, but carries only a 5.53 ERA with 7.1 K/9 and 2.9 BB/9 in 40 2/3 MLB innings over the past two seasons.