MLB Note - Oakland Athletics Hatcher, Chris

Aug 17, 2017 - 8:56 AM RHP Chris Hatcher, who was acquired Tuesday from the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for $500,000 international slot money, made his A's debut Wednesday and pitched a perfect sixth inning with one strikeout in a 7-6 loss to Kansas City. Hatcher, who made a combined 167 relief appearances for the Miami Marlins and the Dodgers, said he welcomed the trade to a team that has a greater need for bullpen help than the Dodgers. "You know, they got a lot of guys over there and I really didn't pitch up to par, and they got guys throwing the ball well," Hatcher said. "It was probably a better move career wise to get some innings and hopefully I can accomplish that over here and throw the ball well." Hatcher has missed much of this season with thoracic inflammation that landed him on the disabled list on June 23. He was reinstated Sunday after making five appearances during a rehab assignment. "I actually feel pretty good," Hatcher said. Hatcher said he had a problem with a rib in his back. "It was basically stuck ribs. They weren't moving very freely. But I feel good." Hatcher is 8-14 with a 4.72 ERA, 216 strikeouts and 72 walks in 206 career innings. This year he was 0-1 with a 4.66 ERA and 43 strikeouts over 36 2/3 innings in 26 relief appearances. "I know he's pitched in significant roles before and he's known to be kind of a tough guy," A's manager Bob Melvin said. "He likes the tougher situations. He's pitched deep in games. I hear he's a pretty good influence in the clubhouse and has been through the wars and has pitched meaningful innings in meaningful games, and it's good to have another guy like that."