The Oakland Athletics claimed Marcus Walden off of waivers one day after the Toronto Blue Jays designated the right-hander for assignment.
The Blue Jays removed Walden from the 40-man roster to make room for Munenori Kawasaki, and it didn’t take long for the Athletics to claim him and option him to their triple-A affiliate.
Walden started 26 games for double-A New Hampshire in 2013, posting a 3.71 ERA with 88 strikeouts and 50 walks in 162.1 innings. He was called up and then optioned to the minor leagues by the Blue Jays without appearing in a game.
Walden, the Blue Jays’ ninth round selection in the 2007 draft, appeared in three games for the triple-A Buffalo Bisons this year. He allowed six earned runs in four innings, striking out one batter.
The Athletics have an American League-best ERA of 2.44, but they have little rotation depth after injuries to Jarrod Parker and A.J. Griffin.