The Oakland A's released right-handed pitcher John Axford, the club announced today. Axford was designated for assignment last Thursday after going 0-1 with a 6.43 ERA and .310 opponents batting average in 22 games with the A's. He signed with Oakland as a free agent prior to the 2016 season and is 34-33 with 144 saves and 3.71 ERA in 493 career appearances with Milwaukee (2009-13), St. Louis (2013), Cleveland (2014), Pittsburgh (2014), Colorado (2015) and Oakland (2016-17).