OAKLAND -- The A's received another addition to their roster Friday, as the team activated catcher Josh Phegley from the 15-day disabled list and optioned Matt McBride to Triple-A Nashville.
Phegley, who missed time with a strained right knee, is the second veteran to return this week. Jed Lowrie was activated from the DL Wednesday after missing time with a shin contusion and went 2-for-4 in his return in a 13-3 loss to the Mariners.
"It's good to have Phegs back," A's manager Bob Melvin said. "Now we're starting to feel like we're getting semi-whole again. … Whenever you have a guy who has been out that's been a part of your 25-man roster for a couple years now, it's nice to get him back."
Phegley was not in Friday's lineup but Melvin said he'd start Saturday against Tigers left-hander Matt Boyd. Phegley, who has a career .269 batting average against lefties, will be in the lineup consistently against lefties moving forward, Melvin added. The 28-year-old was hitting .270 at the time of his injury.
The A's now have a league-high 11 players on the disabled list even with Lowrie and Phegley's return. But seven of those players are pitchers and two others -- Sam Fuld and Eric Sogard -- haven't played this year. Josh Reddick is recovering from a fractured thumb, while Mark Canha, who underwent hip surgery, is expected to miss the rest of the season.
Both Phegley and Lowrie provide Melvin versatility. Vogt has experience playing first base as well, and while Melvin said Phegley's arrival doesn't mean Vogt would necessarily appear at first base, he noted it does give him options. Lowrie has experience playing multiple infield positions and can be moved around the batting order. He's hitting .308 with 17 RBIs in 120 at-bats this year.
"He can hit anywhere in the lineup depending on who we're facing," said Melvin, who added that he's hoping to avoid slotting the switch-hitting Lowrie directly behind Coco Crisp and Billy Burns. "Depending on who is in on any particular day, it's really anywhere from second to sixth right now."