With Lester and Samardzija ahead of Sonny Gray and Scott Kazmir, Milone appeared to be ticketed for no better than a relief role if he made it back to Oakland this season. Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Left-hander Tommy Milone was traded to the Minnesota Twins as the Oakland Athletics remained active at the trading deadline Thursday.
FOX Sports 1 first reported the trade.
Milone had won a career-high six straight decisions when the A’s optioned him to Triple-A Sacramento on July 5 after acquiring right-handers Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel from the Chicago Cubs.
The demotion did not sit well with Milone, who asked to be traded.
Manager Bob Melvin said Milone called him stunned the day the news broke. The A’s were able to send Milone to Sacramento because he’s not out of options.
“I don’t think there’s any softening to it,” Melvin said of Milone possibly having a change of heart. “He wants to pitch in the big leagues. He’d much rather do it here. When you’ve had the type of success that he’s had and you’re pitching in the minor leagues, that’s not somewhere he wants to be.”
Minnesota’s starting rotation lacks a No. 1 starter. RIcky Nolasco was signed to a $47 million deal to lead the rebuilt starting staff, but he is 5-7 with a 5.90 ERA and is currently on the 15-day disabled list with an elbow injury.
Phil Hughes, signed as a free agent from the New York Yankees, has emerged as the team’s top starter.
The A’s acquired another starting pitcher Thursday, netting ace left-hander Jon Lester from the Boston Red Sox in a deal that sends outfield Yoenis Cespedes to Beantown.
With Lester and Samardzija ahead of Sonny Gray and Scott Kazmir, Milone appeared to be ticketed for no better than a relief role if he made it back to Oakland this season.
