Athletics' Lawrence Butler: Makes splash in minors return
Rotowire
Butler, optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas on Tuesday, went 1-for-2 with two walks and two runs Thursday.
Butler drew the start in center field in his first minor-league game of 2024 and made an instant impact while batting second. He had a much different experience against big-league arms (.170/.273/.264), so he'll presumably need an extended stretch of success at the Triple-A level before the A's will consider bringing him back up.
Butler was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas on Tuesday.
The 23-year-old was moved to Triple-A to make room for Zack Gelof (oblique), who was reinstated from the 10-day IL in a corresponding move. Butler saw regular action in the outfield early in the season but has struggled offensively with a .537 OPS in 41 contests.
Athletics' Lawrence Butler: Solid at plate again Saturday
Rotowire
Butler went 0-for-2 with two walks, a stolen base and a run in a win over the Mariners on Saturday.
After a rare two-hit performance Friday, Butler was a table-setting presence near the bottom of the order Saturday while displaying some solid plate discipline. The stolen base was a nice bonus and Butler's third of the season overall, and if he's able to continue inching his on-base percentage upward, he could have some upside in that department considering his trio of double-digit steal tallies during his minor-league career.
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Athletics' Lawrence Butler: Rare offensive success Friday
Rotowire
Butler went 2-for-4 with an RBI single in a loss to the Mariners on Friday.
Butler spared the Athletics from a shutout loss with his ninth-inning knock, which drove home Kyle McCann. The multi-hit effort was Butler's fourth of the season over 38 games, with the last prior to Friday coming back on April 14. Butler had been mired in a 1-for-19 funk over the previous nine games, so his season slash line still sits at an anemic .188/.284/.292.
Athletics' Lawrence Butler: On bench against righty
Rotowire
Butler is out of the lineup for the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader with the Rangers.
The lefty-hitting Butler typically sits out against left-handed pitchers, but he'll bow out of the starting nine for Wednesday's early game while right-hander Michael Lorenzen takes the hill for the Rangers. Brent Rooker will serve as the Athletics' starting right fielder for Game 1, but Tyler Nevin may end up being the primary replacement for Butler against right-handed pitching moving forward if Oakland elects to give rookie Brett Harris a full-time role at third base.
