OAKLAND -- The A's continued to shake up their roster on Saturday, selecting right-handed reliever Michael Brady from Triple-A Nashville while optioning right-handed reliever Zach Neal to the Sounds. A corresponding 40-man roster move has yet to be announced by the club.
Brady, 30, played shortstop and third base in the Bay Area for Cal, but he figures to be an innings-eater for Oakland's bullpen.
"I think I'm going to be in a long-relief role while I'm here, which I'm happy with," Brady said. "I always thought it would be the best fit for me. I don't throw, like, flames or anything, but I can give them some good innings and I don't walk a lot of guys."
In 14 games (six starts) with Nashville this season, Brady is 3-1 with a 3.67 ERA, with 42 strikeouts and only six walks. A's manager Bob Melvin said he's not too familiar with Brady, but that he has a good cutter and control of his pitches.
"Obviously, first time at the big leagues," Melvin said. "When you have guys here and they don't throw strikes, it can definitely be an issue."
"I always had pretty good command," Brady added. "I really try not to walk anyone. I used to be a hitter, so I know how hard it is to actually hit. Just in my mind, if I make them put it in play, the odds are with me."
Brady said he was notified on Friday, when he was scratched for a scheduled start and told to pack his bags for Oakland. He was expecting about 15 friends and family to be in attendance Saturday for his potential MLB debut, including his parents, who made the drive up from Southern California.
"It's been really crazy," Brady said. "It's really cool, but I feel like I haven't really had a chance to settle down. I feel like I'm still rolling. It's really exciting. I'm just focused right now and doing what I need to do, so I haven't had a chance to relax and kind of think about everything."
Worth noting
• Third baseman Trevor Plouffe was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday for a player to be named or cash, two days after he was designated for assignment by the A's to make room for Matt Chapman.
"I texted him this morning," Melvin said. "He's excited about it. For a guy that wasn't here for a very long, he was a guy who was very impactful. All our guys are really pulling for him, as am I. I'm glad he got another opportunity right away."
• Shortstop Marcus Semien continues to work his way back from a fractured right wrist and could be sent out for a rehab assignment when the A's hit the road for next week's series at the Chicago White Sox.
• Right-hander Chris Bassitt (Tommy John surgery recovery) threw 25 pitches off a mound on Saturday and reported no setbacks. Reliever Ryan Dull (strained right knee) ran on the field before Saturday's contest and is showing "incremental improvement," according to Melvin.