OAKLAND — Journeyman infielder Adam Rosales is on the move again, and the Arizona Diamondbacks found a reliable shortstop to fill what in only a couple of days became a big void as they chase a playoff spot.
Rosales was traded by the Oakland Athletics to the Diamondbacks on Monday for minor league right-hander Jeferson Mejia, then the A’s later dealt ace Sonny Gray to the Yankees for three prospects as everyone expected they would do.
Arizona began the day holding the top spot in the NL wild-card race but was suddenly without a shortstop.
Ketel Marte was placed on the bereavement list Monday following the death of his mother in a car accident in the Dominican Republic.
Rosales, who filled in at shortstop for 36 of the 38 games when starter Marcus Semien was hurt this season, is no stranger to switching teams. And the last-place A’s are dealing for prospects as they have historically done.
“It was a true pleasure playing for the Green and Gold AGAIN! Thank you Oakland A’s fans, friends and family #goodmemories #goodpeople,” Rosales posted Monday afternoon on Twitter from the San Francisco airport.
During an 11-day span late in the 2013 season, Rosales was claimed off waivers by Texas from Oakland, went back to the A’s off waivers from the Rangers and then returned to Texas once again on waivers only to watch his former team win the AL West without him.
Rosales returned for a second stint with the A’s this year . He was batting .234 with four homers and 27 RBIs in 71 games.
The 22-year-old Mejia was 1-1 with a 6.08 ERA in 18 relief appearances for Class-A Kane County before going to Class-A short season Hillsboro, where he made three relief outings. He combined to go 1-1 with a 6.21 ERA.
