A's lose switch-pitcher Venditte to Blue Jays on waiver claim
The 2015 Oakland Athletics didn't have very many good stories, but the tale of ambidextrous relief pitcher Pat Venditte was one of them. On Monday, the club announced he was claimed on waivers by the Toronto Blue Jays, one of a number of announcements made regarding the waiver wire:
#Athletics announce that Pat Venditte was claimed on waivers by Toronto and Cody Martin was claimed by Seattle
— Oakland Athletics (@Athletics) October 19, 2015
The 30-year-old finally made his big-league debut with the A's in June of this past season after eight seasons in the minors, bringing with him a bit of a frenzy of attention due to the quirky reality of a switch-pitcher coming in and throwing from both sides of the mound in the same appearance. He wasn't necessarily 'lights-out', though, posting a 4.40 ERA and a 1.186 WHIP in just over 28 innings of work, which might be part of what made him expendable to the A's as they seek ways to fill their 40-man roster heading into the offseason.
Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle tweeted a quote from newly-promoted GM David Forst pertaining to Venditte:
John Hickey of the Bay Area News Group passed along a quote from Venditte, who seems sad to leave town but appreciative of the chance given to him in Oakland:
Switch-pitcher Pat Venditte "disappointed" to leave #Athletics for #BlueJays. "It means the world to me that the A's gave me a chance."
— John Hickey (@JHickey3) October 19, 2015
In addition to Venditte, the A's also lost pitcher Cody Martin, while catcher Bryan Anderson was outrighted to Triple-A Nashville and outfielder Jason Pridie was released:
#Athletics also announce that Jason Pridie was released to play in Japan and Bryan Anderson was outrighted to Nashville
— Oakland Athletics (@Athletics) October 19, 2015
These are just minor roster moves as the A's sort out their personnel heading into what should be another busy few months of retooling and reshaping next year's roster.
