Peterson Claimed off Waivers by Cubs; Punto Released

OAKLAND, Calif. - The Oakland A's announced today that outfielder Shane Peterson has been claimed off waivers by the Chicago Cubs. In addition, infielder Nick Punto was released to clear a spot on the 40-man roster following the trade last night with San Diego.

Peterson was designated for assignment Dec. 11 when the A's acquired Mark Canha from Colorado. He hit .308 with 11 home runs and 90 RBI in 137 games with Sacramento last year. Peterson played in two games with the A's in 2013, going 1-for-7 (.143) with a RBI.

Punto hit .207 with two home runs and 14 RBI in 73 games in his first season with the A's and the 14th of his career. His batting average was a career low but the home runs matched the second best total of his career. Punto has played 1,163 games with Philadelphia (2001-2003), Minnesota (2004-2010), St. Louis (2011), Boston (2012), Los Angeles-NL (2012-13) and Oakland (2014) and is a .245 career hitter with 19 home runs, 263 RBI and 104 stolen bases.