A’s reinstate Smith from DL; place Norberto on DL; option Weeks

OAKLAND, Calif. – The Oakland A’s reinstated Seth Smith from the disabled list, the club announced today.  The A’s also placed left-handed pitcher Jordan Norberto on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to August 18 with left shoulder tendinitis and optioned second baseman Jemile Weeks to Triple-A Sacramento.  To clear a spot on the 40-man roster for Stephen Drew, the A’s designated right-handed pitcher Graham Godfrey for assignment.

Smith was placed on the 15-day disabled list August 3 with a strained left hamstring.  He was sent to Sacramento on a rehab assignment last night and went 2 for 3 in a start at designated hitter against Las Vegas.  Smith was batting .177 over his final 30 games before the injury and is hitting .237 with 11 home runs and 39 RBI in 92 games overall with Oakland.

Norberto goes on the disabled list for the second time this year as he was also out from May 31 to June 20 with a strained left shoulder.  He posted a 1.69 ERA in 18 appearances since he was reinstated from the DL June 21 and is 4-1 with a save and a 2.77 ERA in 39 relief appearances overall with Oakland.  Norberto is eligible to be reinstated September 2.

Weeks was batting .220 with two home runs and 20 RBI in 113 games with the A’s.  He was tied for the American League lead with eight triples but had the second lowest slugging percentage (.302) and fourth lowest batting average.

Godfrey was on the A’s Opening Day roster and went 0-4 with a 6.43 ERA in five games, four starts, over two stints with Oakland.  He has been with Sacramento since May 27 and is 9-2 with a save and a 3.29 ERA in 20 games, 17 starts, overall with the River Cats.