The A's designated catcher Anthony Recker for assignment and optioned rookie arm Dan Straily to AAA to create room for Brett Anderson's return.

Anderson hasn't pitched since June 5, 2011, and his return from the 60-day DL should prove a nice boon for the Athletics' playoff hopes.

Straily had three starts so far on the year and was 1-0 with a 3.18 ERA, 1.18 whip and averaged 6.35 strikeouts per nine innings. Strailey had been stellar in AAA, going 5-2 with a 1.36 ERA and 0.77 WHIP.

Recker appeared in 13 games in the big league this year and struggled mightily at the plate, posting a .129/.250/.379 average/OBP/OPS line. He had four hits in 37 plate appearances. He hasn't appeared with the Athletics since May 22.

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