Athletics claim left-hander Connor Thomas off waivers from Braves

The Oakland Athletics filled a roster spot Tuesday by claiming left-hander Connor Thomas off waivers from the Atlanta Braves. The transaction is designed to give Oakland a new pitching option while also carrying clear implications for both teams’ 40-man rosters in the closing stretch of the season.

According to the Braves’ waiver outcome reported by MLB Trade Rumors, Thomas is the player Oakland targeted after he cleared the waiver process, allowing the A’s to acquire him without a trade. MLB Trade Rumors also notes that there was no obvious public indicator that Atlanta had designated Thomas for assignment before the claim, suggesting the Braves’ intent was to move him through waivers rather than negotiate a return.

The claim required a corresponding roster adjustment from Atlanta. MLB Trade Rumors reported that right-hander Mark Leiter Jr. was transferred to the 60-day injured list as the move paired with Oakland’s waiver claim. That type of maneuver is common when a team needs to make room for a new rostered player while navigating player availability and long-term roster management requirements.

For Oakland, a waiver claim can be a low-cost way to increase organizational depth at a time when pitching matchups matter most. Left-handed arms are particularly valuable in late-season bullpen planning because they can affect platoon splits and give managers more flexibility in high-leverage situations.

For Atlanta, the transaction points to a decision about how best to structure its relief corps and how to balance talent evaluation against the demands of a 40-man roster. Moving Leiter Jr. to the 60-day injured list creates a longer runway for a player who is sidelined, while also opening the door for another pitcher to take his place on the active roster.

The reports also indicate a tight roster impact: MLB Trade Rumors states that Oakland’s 40-man count dropped to 39 with the addition. That matters because clubs are operating with limited room to add players, and each spot becomes more meaningful as the season advances toward the postseason window.

What to watch next is how quickly the Athletics integrate Thomas into their pitching plans, including whether he appears in the bullpen immediately or is deployed in smaller, lower-risk roles first. For the Braves, Leiter Jr.’s 60-day placement means the team’s pitching depth plans will continue to hinge on internal options returning from the injured list and on which pitchers can be trusted in late-season leverage innings.