The Oakland Athletics designated Gio Urshela for assignment on Friday, a move that signals a major change for the infielder shortly before a series against his former team, the Los Angeles Angels. The decision comes after Urshela faced both defensive and offensive challenges during his time with the Athletics, affecting his standing on the roster.
Gio Urshela’s Career Path and Recent Team Changes
Urshela’s journey through Major League Baseball has included stops with several clubs, having played for the Cleveland Guardians, Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees, Los Angeles Angels, Detroit Tigers, and Atlanta Braves before joining Oakland. After the 2022 season, he was traded from the Angels to the Minnesota Twins in a deal involving Alejandro Hidalgo but quickly moved teams again. He showed his versatility with the Angels throughout the 2023 season by covering every infield position, although a pelvis fracture in June curtailed his playing time.
Despite injury setbacks, Urshela managed to hit a .299 batting average and maintained a .703 OPS at Angel Stadium last season. He later signed with the Detroit Tigers as a free agent but was released in August 2024. The Braves picked him up afterward, but he entered the 2024 season with the Athletics, seeking to revive his career.
Performance Challenges Lead to Reduced Playing Time in Oakland
While with the Athletics, Urshela mainly played third base but struggled defensively and offensively. His defensive metrics showed a negative two outs above average and a low fielding run value, raising concerns about his ability to contribute reliably at the hot corner. Offensively, Urshela’s production declined, finishing with an OPS of .613 and an OPS+ of 70 during his time playing in Sacramento, Oakland’s Triple-A affiliate.
As the season unfolded, younger infielders emerged as the preferred options for the Athletics, leaving Urshela with dwindling opportunities for playing time. These promising prospects have taken center stage, making it harder for Urshela to secure regular appearances.
Brett Harris Steps Up as Urshela’s Replacement
Following Urshela’s designation, Brett Harris has been promoted to fill the infield role. Harris has already shown potential by driving in a run during the Athletics’ recent matchup against the Angels, possibly signaling a shift in the team’s direction as they look toward developing their young talent.
Angels Seek to Rebound in Season-Ending Push
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Angels are preparing for the second game in a three-game series against Oakland, trying to recover from a lopsided 10-3 loss in the opener. Currently six games behind a playoff spot, the Angels will rely on pitcher Tyler Anderson to help restart their momentum. With the postseason race heating up, the Angels are looking for every possible advantage to improve their Wild Card chances as October nears.