A’s Reinstate LHP Norberto from DL; Recall C Norris from Sacramento

OAKLAND, Calif. – The Oakland A’s reinstated left-handed pitcher Jordan Norberto from the 15-day disabled list and recalled catcher Derek Norris from Triple-A Sacramento, the club announced today.  To clear spots on the roster, the A’s optioned left-handed pitcher Pedro Figueroa and catcher/infielder Josh Donaldson to Sacramento.

Norberto had a save and a 3.91 ERA in 21 relief appearances when he was placed on the 15-day disabled list June 4 retroactive to May 31 with a strained right shoulder.  He made one rehab appearance with Sacramento on Tuesday against Fresno and tossed a scoreless inning while striking out two.

Norris was batting .273 with eight home runs and 36 RBI in 55 games in his Triple-A debut with Sacramento.  He was acquired by the A’s from Washington along with Tommy Milone, Brad Peacock and A.J. Cole for Gio Gonzalez and Rob Gilliam, December 23, 2011 and will be making his Major League debut.  The 23-year old right-handed hitter is a .252 (410 for 1628) career hitter with 77 home runs and 268 RBI in 486 minor league games over six seasons.  He has tossed out 17 of 63 (32.1%) attempted base stealers this year and 168 of 438 (38.4%) in his career.

Figueroa was recalled from Sacramento June 17 for his second stint with the A’s and appeared in his only game that day, tossing 3.0 scoreless innings.  He has a 1.50 ERA in nine games overall with the A’s.  Donaldson was recalled from Sacramento May 12 for his second stint with Oakland and batted .182 in 19 games.  He was hitting .153 in 28 games overall.  After making each of his first 24 starts at third base, his last three starts have come at catcher.