A's lose Otero to Phillies on waivers
Righty reliever struggled in 2015, posting 6.75 ERA
OAKLAND -- The A's have lost Dan Otero to the Phillies, who claimed the right-handed reliever off waivers Tuesday.
Otero, a key performer in several roles out of Oakland's bullpen between 2013-14, struggled much of this past season, even spending time at Triple-A Nashville.
The 30-year-old posted a 6.75 ERA across 41 appearances for the A's, allowing 64 hits -- including seven home runs -- in 46 2/3 innings. He yielded just four home runs in 86 2/3 innings the year prior, and none in 2013 when he logged 39 innings in the big leagues.
His performance reflected the ongoing issues this bullpen faced all year. A's relievers had the worst ERA (4.63) in the American League and totaled just 28 saves, largely contributing to the club's 68-94 record, worst in the AL.
Otero fell short of Super Two status and thus had one option year remaining, after earning $512,500 in 2014.
In other A's news, catcher Carson Blair cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Nashville, leaving 39 players on the team's 40-man roster, seven of them currently stationed on the 60-day disabled list.