6:40 pm: To make room for Bowden on their 40-man roster, the Athletics have designated Connor Thomas for assignment. They claimed the left-hander off waivers from the Braves earlier this week and optioned him to Triple-A Las Vegas. In two appearances for Atlanta this year, Thomas gave up 15 runs in 6 1/3 innings. That only slightly increased his career ERA, which already sat at 20.25, after he gave up 12 runs in 5 1/3 innings for the Brewers in his first MLB season. His numbers at Triple-A are much more impressive; in 27 1/3 innings this season, he has a 1.98 ERA and 3.62 xERA, thanks in large part to a 59.2% groundball rate.

Thomas has been outrighted twice before in his career, first by the Cardinals, the team that drafted him, and later by the Brewers. So, if he clears waivers and the A’s try to send him outright to Triple-A, he will have the right to reject that assignment.

4:40 pm: The Athletics have selected left-hander Ben Bowden from Triple-A. In a corresponding move, right-hander Luis Morales has been optioned to Las Vegas. The A’s announced both moves before their game this evening against the Tigers. They have not yet announced a corresponding move to make room on their 40-man roster.

Bowden, now 31, made his MLB debut for the Rockies in 2021. In 39 games of mostly low-leverage relief, the southpaw put up a 6.56 ERA and 4.56 SIERA. He failed to make Colorado’s roster out of spring training the next season, and the Rays claimed him off waivers in April 2022. After that, he bounced from the Giants to the Phillies to the Braves, pitching for all of their Triple-A affiliates. However, he didn’t make it back to the majors until he signed a minor league contract with the A’s, who called him up to their big league club last summer. In 11 games, he gave up six runs (five earned) in 10 2/3 innings of work, striking out seven and walking five. A lat strain forced him to the IL in August, ultimately ending his comeback season.

Although the Athletics cut Bowden last November, the two sides quickly agreed on a new minor league contract. The lefty has made 32 appearances for the Las Vegas Aviators this year, with a 5.40 ERA and 4.59 xERA. He has struck out 28.7% of his opponents, but he has also given up nine home runs in just 36 2/3 innings.

Morales gave up 11 runs (10 earned) over 6 2/3 innings in two games following his latest promotion. He will head back to Triple-A, while Bowden will give the A’s a fresh new arm for their bullpen.