Oakland, CA (SportsNetwork.com) – The Oakland Athletics released veteran
infielder Nick Punto on Friday in order to clear a spot on the 40-man roster.
The A’s needed to make room on the 40-man for pitchers Jesse Hahn and R.J.
Alvarez, both of whom were acquired from the San Diego Padres Thursday in
exchange for All-Star catcher Derek Norris.
Punto signed a one-year contract with Oakland last offseason that included a
2015 option that vested due to time spent on the active roster. The 37-year-
old journeyman hit a career-low .207 in 73 games, however, with two home runs
and 14 RBI.
The 14-year major leaguer owns a .245 average over 1,163 career games with
Philadelphia, Minnesota, St. Louis, Boston, the Los Angeles Dodgers and
Oakland.
