MARYVALE, Ariz. -- Veteran lefty Ross Detwiler became a free agent Sunday after opting out of his Minor League deal with the A's.
Detwiler made it known early in camp that he would exercise his opt-out clause if he wasn't going to make the A's Opening Day roster, a scenario that played out as expected. Detwiler was considered a longshot from the outset, and an impressive start to Cactus League play was dwarfed by recent struggles.
The 31-year-old finished the spring with an 11.88 ERA, having allowed 11 runs in 8 1/3 innings.
"That's what he intimated to me, was, I need to get back to where I was a couple weeks ago," A's manager Bob Melvin said. "Just had a couple of tough outings, and we knew we were up against the out, and I think he's going to kind of process where he's at."
Melvin suggested Detwiler could potentially re-sign with the A's, "but I think he's going to take a little time before he makes the decision," he noted.
Detwiler threw 44 innings in nine appearances (seven starts) for Oakland last season, posting a 6.14 ERA.
Worth Noting
• The A's are down to 37 players in camp after losing Detwiler and also optioning right-hander Jesse Hahn and catcher Bruce Maxwell to Triple-A Nashville on Sunday. Maxwell, who enjoyed a two-homer day during the A's 11-1 win over the Brewers before the move was made, will wait his turn behind platoon partners Stephen Vogt and Josh Phegley.
"He'll be here at some point," Melvin said. "We saw his progression last year, did a great job for us. Nothing that he did that would suggest he needed to be sent down. It's just a numbers game for him right now."
• On-the-mend outfielders Khris Davis (quad) and Jaff Decker (oblique) got at-bats in a Minor League game Sunday. Both are expected in the A's lineup against the Royals on Tuesday.
• Third baseman Trevor Plouffe, who was removed from Saturday's game because of a minor tweak of the abductor muscle, "feels better," according to Melvin, but will likely be rested through Tuesday.