The Athletics announced that infielder Sheldon Neuse has been claimed off waivers from the Dodgers. Neuse has been in DFA limbo since December 1, as the Dodgers designated him for assignment just before the lockout started.
It’s a reunion of sorts for Neuse and the A’s, as Neuse has spent much of his pro career in the Oakland organization. A second-round pick for the Nationals in the 2016 draft, Neuse was part of the three-player package (along with Jesus Luzardo and Blake Treinen) sent to Oakland in the July 2017 trade that brought Sean Doolittle and Ryan Madson to D.C. The Athletics then dealt Neuse to Los Angeles as part of a four-player swap in February 2021.
A pretty well-regarded prospect during his time in the minors, Neuse has a .291/.349/.459 slash line over 1446 career plate appearances at the Triple-A level. Neuse has played mostly as a third baseman but has also seen a lot of time at both middle infield positions and a handful of games as a first baseman and corner outfielder. There is some irony that Neuse is returning to the A’s on the same day that Oakland traded Matt Chapman to the Blue Jays, as Chapman’s presence at third base was one of the reasons the Athletics experimented with Neuse at other positions.
With the A’s now shifting into at least some kind of rebuild mode, it could open the door for Neuse to get a longer look at the big league level. He hasn’t hit much in limited action, with a .207/.236/.314 slash line in 127 PA (61 with the Athletics in 2019 and 66 with the Dodgers last season).