OAKLAND -- The A's have removed nine players from their 40-man roster in 24 hours, outrighting eight of them to Triple-A Nashville, while letting infielder/outfielder Arismendy Alcantara go on waivers to the Reds.
After right-hander Chris Smith and catcher Matt McBride were outrighted to Nashville on Wednesday, six others followed Thursday, notably infielder Eric Sogard and reliever Fernando Rodriguez Jr.. Infielder Tyler Ladendorf, outfielder Andrew Lambo and right-handers J.B. Wendelken and Donn Roach were also outrighted.
Sogard, 30, missed all of 2016 after undergoing knee surgery, having played in parts of each of the previous six seasons with the A's -- three of them as a semi-regular player. His defensive versatility is largely valued by the A's, but with enough Major League service time to elect free agency, Sogard could seek employment elsewhere.
Like Sogard, Rodriguez has the necessary service time to opt to become a free agent. The right-hander had a 4.20 ERA in 34 games for the A's this season before undergoing September shoulder surgery to repair a complete tear of his lat tendon. He's expected to be able to begin a throwing program in three months.
Ladendorf had a career-high 50 plate appearances with the A's this season but collected just four hits. Lambo, meanwhile, appeared in just one game for them before being optioned to Triple-A Nashville and receiving a diagnosis for testicular cancer. Lambo is currently cancer-free.
Wendelken is expected to undergo Tommy John surgery this month, after making eight appearances for the A's this year.