A's claim OF Matthes from Colorado; Place RHP Parker on 60-Day DL

The Oakland Athletics have claimed outfielder Kent Matthes off waivers from the Colorado Rockies, the team announced today. To clear a spot on the 40-man roster, the A's have placed right-handed pitcher Jarrod Parker on the 60-day disabled list. The A's have optioned Matthes to Triple-A Sacramento and assigned him to their minor league camp.

Matthes batted .278 with one home run and five RBI in 10 spring training games with the Rockies before he was reassigned to their minor league camp March 13. The 27-year-old had a .281 average, 20 home runs and 63 RBI in 115 games between Double-A Tulsa and Triple-A Colorado Springs in 2013. The right-handed hitter batted .297 in 47 Triple-A games, including .364 against left-handers.  

Parker will undergo reconstructive revision surgery to the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow on Monday, March 24. Dr. James Andrews will perform the surgery at the Andrews Institute in Pensacola, Fla. Parker likely will miss the remainder of the season. It will be the second "Tommy John" surgery of Parker's career, having undergone the same procedure with Dr. Andrews on Oct. 28, 2009 as a member of the Arizona Diamondbacks organization.