A's select RHP Tim Atherton in Triple-A phase of Rule 5 Draft

The Oakland Athletics today selected right-handed pitcher Tim Atherton in the Triple-A phase of the Rule 5 Draft. Atherton pitched the entire 2013 season with the Single-A Cedar Rapids Kernels in the Minnesota Twins organization.

Atherton, a 24-year-old converted outfielder from New South Wales, Australia, was originally signed as a free agent by Minnesota in 2007 and made the conversion to pitching in 2011. He holds a career record of 12-7 with a 2.54 ERA in 67 games, 16 starts. In 2013 with Cedar Rapids, he appeared in 31 games, 11 starts, and posted an 8-5 record with a 2.54 ERA and one save. He struck out 102 batters in 95.2 innings pitched.