A's bring up Vogt to bolster bench depth

OAKLAND -- The A's recalled catcher Stephen Vogt from Triple-A Sacramento on Sunday, while reliever Fernando Rodriguez was demoted to Triple A.

Vogt went 0-for-4 on Sunday and caught the entire game in a 6-3 victory over the Angels, despite arriving at the ballpark less than an hour before first pitch.

The left-handed hitter was batting .364 with three home runs and 19 RBIs at Sacramento, including .433 with 15 RBIs over his last 14 games.

With several A's players banged up -- Brandon Moss (strained right calf) and Josh Reddick (hyperextended right knee) are day to day -- manager Bob Melvin wanted the extra depth that Vogt provides.

"We're a little beat up on the bench right now, with Reddick being out, Moss being out. I wouldn't consider [infielder Nick] Punto [left calf] yet 100 percent," Melvin said. "Stephen was doing really well. We always knew that he'd be here at some point."

Vogt gives the A's a third catcher along with Derek Norris and John Jaso, as well as a left-handed bat off the bench. Melvin also noted that Vogt is capable of playing left field.

Asked whether Vogt's promotion is a short-term or long-term move, Melvin declined to specify.

"He's a guy that's been here before, been instrumental for us, and he is here right now," he said.

As for Rodriguez, Melvin said the right-hander was a victim of circumstance.

"He's done a great job for us, and really he didn't do anything to deserve to be sent down," Melvin said. "You look at his numbers, he's got a [1.13] ERA, he's done everything we've asked him to do, pitched in some important games for us.

"Still not able to go back-to-back games coming off Tommy John surgery, so we needed the spot. Unfortunately it was him."

Vogt appeared in 47 games for Oakland in 2013, hitting .252 with four homers and 16 RBIs.