Shea Langeliers Returns, Athletics Designate Austin Wynns For Assignment

Shea Langeliers is back from the paternity list, and the Athletics moved quickly to clear room by designating Austin Wynns for assignment. The catching plan changes immediately, with Langeliers and Jonah Heim set to split duties for the time being.

Langeliers Back In Athletics Catching Mix

Langeliers returned to the roster after his paternity leave, and the move ended Wynns' run with the club for now. The Athletics chose to carry two catchers in Langeliers and Heim, rather than keep Wynns after the return.

Wynns had been with the Athletics since last June, when the club picked him up in a cash swap after the Reds designated him for assignment. He appeared in 36 games and logged 110 plate appearances, but his line settled at.167/.204/.304 with the team.

Wynns' Short Run In Oakland

Before joining the Athletics, Wynns had produced a.400/.442/.700 line in 43 plate appearances with Cincinnati, with a.520 batting average on balls in play helping drive that early spike. The contrast between that burst and his numbers with the Athletics left the club with a clear roster choice once Langeliers returned.

Wynns has played parts of eight major league seasons and has been to the plate 826 times in his career, posting a.231/.276/.347 line with 19 home runs. He has also spent time with the Orioles, Giants, Dodgers, Rockies, Reds and Athletics.

Heim Joins Langeliers

The Athletics recently reacquired Heim, and he now shares the workload with Langeliers as the catching group resets. Wynns also has more than five years of big league service time, which gives him the option to reject an outright assignment, elect free agency and keep the remainder of his $1.1 million guarantee if he clears waivers.

For the Athletics, the move leaves the catching picture narrowed to Langeliers and Heim right away. For Wynns, the next step depends on whether he clears waivers and chooses to stay tied to the deal or walk away with the rest of the guarantee intact.