OAKLAND -- Aaron Brooks clocked in just in time for another bullpen day.
Reacquired by the A's on Monday, the right-hander arrived ahead of the club's showdown with the Yankees and was expected to be available out of the bullpen following Liam Hendriks' start as an "opener."
Brooks could also be a starting option at some point for these A's, who are temporarily operating with a three-run rotation after placing lefties Sean Manaea and Brett Anderson on the disabled list last week. Meanwhile, their bullpen boasts 15 men.
The A's expected to have even more bullpen help on Tuesday, after announcing plans to promote right-handers Frankie Montas, Chris Bassitt and Ryan Dull following the conclusion of Triple-A Nashville's season on Monday. However, an oversight kept them from making such moves; under the Collective Bargaining Agreement put in place prior to the 2017 season, optioned players must wait 10 days to return to the Majors even if the Minor League season has concluded.
The significance of Brooks' arrival, then, was heightened. The right-hander hasn't pitched since Aug. 23, when he tossed seven innings of one-run ball for Triple-A Colorado Springs. Not since 2015 has he pitched in the Majors -- as a member of the A's.
"It's a huge time," Brooks said. "Obviously the A's are doing really well. It's a good time to be here. It's cool to see the clubhouse again and see some familiar faces. Makes it a little easier on the transition just knowing a few people here."
"We've used quite a bit of our bullpen here recently and most of these guys are more one- or two-inning guys, so it's nice to have true length, a guy that, depending the situation, can give you four or five or six innings," A's manager Bob Melvin said. "We'll see where we go with him, but it's nice to have him in the bullpen."
Melvin hinted he would be without several of his top relief arms on Tuesday because of recent workloads. In addition, right-hander Shawn Kelley hasn't worked since Wednesday because of a finger laceration, Melvin said, and could remain sidelined through Thursday's off-day.

Pinder needs your vote for Clemente Award
Utility man Chad Pinder has been named the A's nominee for the 2018 Roberto Clemente Award, which recognizes a player who best represents the game through extraordinary character, community involvement and positive contributions on and off the field.
"Chad Pinder's not a guy that's maybe not a spotlight guy for us, but if you've been inside the clubhouse and know how big a personality he is for us, he has terrific leadership qualities, he's out and about in the community, he's a real standup guy," Melvin said. "He's one of my favorite guys here. For him to be honored in this way I know is a nice little feather in his cap, and I know we feel as good about it as well."
Each club nominates one player to be considered for the award, which was established by Major League Baseball to honor Clemente's legacy. Pinder will be honored by the A's in a pregame ceremony prior to Wednesday's game with the Yankees.
Pinder is a constant at A's community events and has taken on a leading role with the School of Imagination in Dublin, Calif., which empowers special-needs children to excel. Pinder visits the school each month.
The league-wide winner of the Clemente Award will be selected by a blue ribbon panel that includes Commissioner Rob Manfred, Clemente's late wife and current MLB Goodwill Ambassador, Vera Clemente, as well as representatives from MLB-affiliated networks and MLB.com. Fans can also vote for the winner at mlb.com/clemente21, with the winner of that tally counting as one vote among those cast by the blue-ribbon panel.