The Oakland Athletics have selected the contract of outfielder Jaff Decker ahead of Saturday’s contest against the Houston Astros. The A’s optioned Mark Canha to Triple-A Nashville, and transferred Jake Smolinski to the 60-day disabled list to open a 40-man roster spot for Decker.
The left-handed batting Decker, 27, enjoyed a sterling spring at the plate and on defense, showing an apparent efficiency in his routes that Canha seems to lack at the moment. With the Triple-A Nashville Sounds, Decker was hitting .387/.472/.452 in 36 plate appearances, including five walks and eight strikeouts.