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A's designate Fuld to make room for Gentry

SEATTLE -- In welcoming back one of the game's most versatile outfielders, the A's had to let go of another.

Craig Gentry was activated from the disabled list Saturday, forcing the A's to designate Sam Fuld for assignment, giving them 10 days to either release, trade or, in an unlikely scenario, pass him through waivers.

Fuld was 6-for-30 (.200) with four RBIs in seven games for the A's, and he provided several defensive gems in the outfield.

"He was really good for us, and I view him as a big league player," manager Bob Melvin said Saturday. "In a short period of time here, he's impacted some games for us, and he's been right in the middle of some wins for us."

That's what made the decision so tough. The A's could have opted to designate Daric Barton for assignment to make room for Gentry, but in the end, they had to ask, "How much is a fifth outfielder going to get to play?" Melvin said.

So it was never really about evaluating Fuld vs. Barton, anyway. It just didn't make sense to have two extra outfielders of the same skill set.

"We do have Brandon Moss, who can play the outfield, too," Melvin said. "But still, a tough decision for us, and I wish him the best. He's a terrific person for us, and he fit very well here. He told me he had a lot of fun here and felt great here."

Gentry, acquired from the Rangers for Michael Choice in the offseason, will be an in-game option for the A's final two games in Seattle, and he's expected to start at least two of the club's three games in Anaheim next week. It will be his first game of any sort with the A's, having missed all of Spring Training because of a lower back strain.

"He can impact the game, whether it's on defense, whether it's baserunning, pinch-hitting," Melvin said. "He knows how to play that role, and that's kind of an acquired taste. He's done a really good job at that, and that's one of the reasons we targeted him and a reason he's here."

Jane Lee is a reporter for MLB.com. Read her blog, Major Lee-ague, and follow her on Twitter @JaneMLB.
Read More: Oakland Athletics, Sam Fuld, Craig Gentry