OAKLAND — The A’s added two recent players to the major league roster Sunday as the roster expanded from 26 to 28, recalling infielder Tristan Gray and activating right-hander Janson Junk.
“Gray has a lot of versatility in the infield,” A’s manager Mark Kotsay said. “We know he’s athletic. He’s got power. That’s going to be the plan, to give him opportunities over the next 25 days. As far as Junk as a starting pitcher, so he’s got some length there. That’s how we’re going to move forward with him.”
Gray, 28, was claimed by the Marlins on Aug. 27, while Junk, 28, was claimed by the Astros on Aug. 31.
“With this young core coming in… it seems like we’re on the right trajectory to continue every year and make improvements,” Junk said. “It’s cool to see from afar the success, the path they’re on.”
Gray, selected in the 13th round by the Pirates in the 2017 MLB draft, made his A’s debut Sunday, drawing a walk as a pinch hitter. In his brief major league career, Gray had two hits in 12 at-bats.
The Rice University product has played in multiple organizations over the past two years. Gray made his Rays debut in 2023, hitting his first (and only) major league home run in his second (and final) game with Tampa Bay.
Gray played seven games with the Marlins this season, but spent most of the season in the minor leagues. In 100 games with Miami’s Triple-A affiliate this year, Gray hit .245/.318/.459 with 17 homers and 58 RBIs.
Junk, selected in the 22nd round of the 2017 MLB draft out of Seattle, has played four seasons in the major leagues. In 14 appearances, Junk has a 5.18 ERA over 40 innings with 34 strikeouts and nine walks.
The A’s represent Junk’s third organization in the past month and change. Junk was designated for assignment by the Brewers on July 28; claimed by the Astros on Aug. 2 and assigned to their Triple-A team; designated for assignment by the Astros on Aug. 29; then claimed by the A’s on Aug. 31.
“It’s been a crazy month for me,” Junk said.
Junk has allowed six earned runs in eight innings of major league play this season, spending most of the season in Triple-A (3.60 ERA, 50 innings). Junk went from starter to reliever with the Brewers earlier this year, but returned to starting when he joined the Astros. With Oakland, Junk is expected to play more of a long-term reliever role.
Injury Updates
- Scott Alexander (left rotator cuff tendinitis) pitched a live game Monday. The team will speak with Alexander, who hasn’t pitched in a major league game since Aug. 17, on Tuesday to assess how he’s recovered from the live session and then determine next steps from there.
- One of the hitters Alexander faced was Tyler Soderstrom (left wrist stress reaction). Soderstrom will take batting practice on the field Tuesday. If all goes well, he’ll join Triple-A Las Vegas and possibly begin a rehab assignment.
- Austin Adams (right forearm tendinitis) will throw a bullpen Tuesday and then another Friday. Kotsay said he thinks Adams will need some rehab before returning, but added that “it’s not set in stone yet.”
- Esteury Ruiz (left wrist sprain) is officially done for the season, according to Kotsay. Ruiz, who hasn’t played since May, will report to the team’s complex in Arizona and begin baseball activities after that home stretch. Kotsay said the team will talk to Ruiz about playing winter baseball, but noted that hasn’t been formally discussed yet. “In terms of catching at-bats, that’s probably a good spot for him.”
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