June 21, 2012

The Oakland Athletics have called up talented catching prospect Derek Norris to split time behind the plate with regular Kurt Suzuki.

Norris, from Goddard, was recalled from Triple-A Sacramento on Thursday in time
to start the series finale with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Oakland
optioned infielder Josh Donaldson and left-handed reliever Pedro
Figueroa to Sacramento.

Lefty reliever Jordan Norberto was activated from the 15-day
disabled list.

Norris, who came to the A's in the trade that sent All-Star
lefty Gio Gonzalez to the Washington Nationals last December,
batted .273 with eight home runs and 36 RBIs in 55 games for the
River Cats. Manager Bob Melvin says this isn't an indicator that
the A's plan to trade Suzuki, who will be counted upon to help
mentor Norris as he learns the pitchers.