A’s outright Braden, Devine; both elect free agency
The Oakland A’s announced today that left-handed pitcher Dallas Braden and right-handed pitcher Joey Devine cleared outright waivers and elected free agency rather than accept an outright assignment to Triple-A Sacramento.
Braden missed the entire 2012 season as he continued his rehab from May 17, 2011 surgery to repair a torn capsule in his left shoulder. He was placed on the 15-day disabled list March 28 and was transferred to the 60-day DL April 22. Braden had another surgery Aug. 21 to repair the rotator cuff in his left shoulder. The surgery was performed by Dr. David Altchek, who also did his shoulder capsule surgery. The 29-year-old left-hander is 26-36 with a 4.16 ERA in 94 career appearances, including 79 starts, in five seasons with the A’s. Braden tossed the 19th perfect game in Major League history May 9, 2010 against Tampa Bay.
Devine also missed the entire season after undergoing “Tommy John” surgery on his right elbow for the second time. He was placed on the 15-day disabled list March 28 retroactive to March 24 and the surgery was performed by Dr. James Andrews in Pensacola, Fla., April 20. It included an ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction, an ulnar nerve transposition and a debridement of the flexor tendon. Devine also had “Tommy John” surgery on the same elbow April 21, 2009 and missed the entire 2009 and 2010 seasons. The 29-year-old right-hander is 8-3 with a 2.75 ERA in 93 career relief appearances, including 7-2 with a 1.57 ERA in 68 games in two seasons with the A’s.