Athletics make multiple roster moves, designating Joey Meneses for assignment

The Oakland Athletics made a pair of notable roster moves before a Saturday night matchup against the Washington Nationals, creating space on their 40-man roster by designating first baseman Joey Meneses for assignment. The move places Meneses on the team’s DFA list, a procedural step that can lead to a trade, release, or outright assignment if he clears waivers.

According to MLB Trade Rumors, Oakland’s roster change was paired with a corresponding addition to the active group. Right-hander Geoff Hartlieb was selected to the big-league club, indicating the Athletics are recalling him to the major league level for the game or for the near-term stretch of the schedule.

The context for Hartlieb’s selection is roster-driven as well. MLB Trade Rumors reported that the club used the transaction to take the roster spot of injured reliever Justin Sterner, implying Sterner’s absence created a need for bullpen depth on the 26-man roster. Specifics of the injury are not provided in the available transaction summary, so the practical takeaway is simply that Sterner was not available to occupy his prior role on the active roster.

For Meneses, the designation for assignment changes the immediate path of his season. Being placed on DFA means Oakland no longer has him automatically slotted on its 40-man roster, and the team must make a decision within the DFA window set by Major League Baseball rules. If another club claims Meneses off waivers, he would join that organization’s system and roster plans. If he clears waivers, Oakland could attempt an outright assignment or pursue other options.

The Athletics’ decision also reflects how quickly roster needs can shift in the middle of a season, especially when injuries impact bullpen availability. Hartlieb’s promotion suggests the Athletics want a fresh arm at the major league level, whether that means leveraging him in late innings or using him in a setup or spot relief capacity depending on the game situation.

For the Nationals game itself, these moves matter less because they predict outcomes and more because they indicate the Athletics are actively reshaping their short-term roster. A recall like Hartlieb’s often changes manager matchups, even if it does not immediately translate into a major strategic overhaul. Meanwhile, Meneses’ DFA introduces uncertainty into Oakland’s day-to-day lineup construction at first base, particularly as the team balances the need for depth against the options available through waivers.

What to watch next is straightforward: whether Meneses is claimed, traded, or cleared for assignment, and how quickly Hartlieb fits into the Athletics’ pitching plans. If Oakland turns to him as a regular bullpen piece, his usage over subsequent appearances could become a key indicator of the club’s assessment, while Meneses’ status will reveal whether his time in Oakland is likely to continue in some form or whether another organization will take over the next chapter.