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 3.00 ERA in 56 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 82/3 innings (16 games) with Oakland.