O'Flaherty to DL, Alvarez recalled

ARLINGTON -- The A's placed reliever Eric O'Flaherty on the disabled list with a left shoulder strain Saturday and recalled right-hander R.J. Alvarez from Triple-A Nashville to take his bullpen spot.

O'Flaherty flew home Saturday and will undergo an MRI in the Bay Area on Sunday. The southpaw allowed a combined six runs in his last three appearances, getting six days of rest between his final two to rest his shoulder.

"We felt like we hopefully gave it enough time to go away, and it didn't, so we gotta give him some rest," said A's manager Bob Melvin.

Overall, O'Flaherty was 0-2 with an 11.57 ERA in eight outings -- a disappointing start to what was expected to be a big year for the veteran, who hasn't enjoyed a full season since 2012. He underwent Tommy John surgery in the middle of the 2013 season with the Braves and returned to make 21 appearances for the A's last year, pitching to a 2.25 ERA.

Alvarez rejoins the A's just 10 days after being optioned to Nashville. He made just one relief appearance for the Sounds, back on Tuesday, and hopes to showcase better command in his second stint with Oakland, after allowing nine runs -- seven on April 21 -- in six relief appearances for a 12.00 ERA.

"I know I gotta get out there and throw a few more strikes," said Alvarez. "I don't think it's anything mechanical, I just gotta go out there and do it. Seems like every time I walk guys, it's just one pitch I gotta make better."