Brandon

Hicks

Hicks was just claimed off waivers from the Braves on Tuesday. The 26-year-old infielder will be useful depth to have around at the Triple-A level.

Hicks went 1-for-21 (.048) in 17 games with the Braves last year and batted .252/.333/.446 with 18 homers, 50 RBI and an a .779 OPS over Triple-A Gwinnett. The 26-year-old has mostly played shortstop in his professional career, but he could give the A’s another option at the hot corner after losing Scott Sizemore (knee) for the season.

He was sent down in order to make room for Adam Rosales on the active roster. Hicks has had a couple nice moments with the A’s over the past six weeks, but he’s hitting just .183 with 29 strikeouts in 60 at-bats. That’s just not going to fly in the big leagues.

It was his first big-league homer in 61 career at-bats. Hicks was only in the game because Cliff Pennington had been removed for a pinch-hitter earlier, and the homer came in his lone plate appearance. He had been hitting .147 with 13 strikeouts in 34 at-bats for the A’s.

The A’s still aren’t sure on a timetable for the 28-year-old shortstop, but he’s obviously getting closer. Brandon Hicks and Eric Sogard will continue to fill in.

The Athletics are recalling Hicks for infield depth behind Cliff Pennington and Brandon Inge. He’s returning to a .183 batting average with 29 strikeouts in 20 games (64 plate appearances) this season.

Confirmation of sporadic playing time is enough to make Hicks worth a flier in deep AL-only fantasy leagues. Called up to the majors on Saturday, Hicks batted .272 with 13 homers and 48 RBI in 65 games at Triple-A Sacramento. Melvin said the majority of his playing time would come at shortstop, spelling Cliff Pennington, and that Hicks also gives the team a backup at first.

Hicks’ addition comes as a surprise, but he’s certainly not undeserving of a promotion. The 26-year-old is batting .272 with 13 homers and 48 RBI in 65 games at Sacramento. He’ll provide infield depth behind Cliff Pennington and Brandon Inge.

Hicks was just designated for assignment by the Athletics last week. The 27-year-old batted .172 (11-for-64) with three homers and a .633 OPS in 22 games at the major league level this season and figures to serve as middle infield depth.

The A’s needed to clear some room on their 40-man roster in preparation for the Rule 5 Draft. Hicks, 27, batted just .172/.243/.391 for them during his brief time in the big leagues in 2012.