A's Option OF Burns to Nashville; Designate OF Hassan for Assignment

OAKLAND, Calif. - The Oakland A's optioned outfielder Billy Burns to Triple-A Nashville and designated outfielder Alex Hassan for assignment, the club announced today. The moves clear a spot on the roster for Cody Ross, who was signed earlier today.

Burns was on the A's Opening Day roster but did not appear in the A's first two games. He batted .373 in 28 games this spring and had 31 hits, which tied for the Major League lead. The hits were the most by an Athletic in a non-strike spring since at least 1991. Burns also ranked second in the majors with 21 runs, which matched the most by an Athletic in a non-strike spring since 1991, and tied for the Cactus League lead in stolen bases (5) and triples (3). He made his Major League debut with Oakland last year and went 1-for-6 (.167) in 13 games.

Hassan was claimed off waivers by the A's twice this off-season. He was originally claimed from Boston Nov. 17 but was claimed by Baltimore three days later. The A's claimed him a second time Feb. 27 and he went 8-for-18 (.444) with two RBI in nine games during a spring that was interrupted by a strained hamstring. The 27-year-old right-handed hitter made his Major League debut with Boston last year, going 1-for-8 (.125) with a walk in three games. Hassan also batted .287 with eight home runs and 55 RBI in 114 games with Triple-A Pawtucket.