The A’s focused on rebuilding their bullpen in the offseason, but it hasn’t made a difference in the standings.
With the A’s again looking to the future, they dealt left-handed reliever Marc Rzepczynski and cash to the Nationals for infield prospect Max Schrock on Thursday.
Rzepczynski, who turns 31 on Monday, had a 3.03 ERA in 55 outings after he was acquired with first baseman Yonder Alonso in the December trade that sent Drew Pomeranz and two prospects to the Padres.
Rzepczynski jumps into a pennant race and provides a hot hand: he gave up one earned run in his final 8 1/3 innings (15 games) with Oakland.