A’s let go of veteran slugger to make room for Mark Canha

The Kendrys Morales Experiment has ended for the Oakland A’s, who designated the 35-year-old for assignment to make room on the roster for first baseman/outfielder Mark Canha.

Morales, who batted a disappointing .204 with a home run and seven RBIs in 108 at-bats for Oakland, was acquired as a stop-gap for first baseman Matt Olson, who returned from surgery for a broken hamate bone last week. While Morales was lauded for the way he fit in with the A’s clubhouse, his presence didn’t translate to success at the plate.

“Unfortunately, we had to let him go,” A’s manager Bob Melvin said Monday on SiriusXM’s MLB Network Radio. “I’ll tell you what, this guy, maybe he didn’t put up big numbers, but this is a terrific teammate.”

The 13-year veteran has 212 career home runs, including at least 20 longballs in each of the past four seasons. Morales, who the Blue Jays shipped to Oakland on March 29 for minor league infielder Jesus Lopez and $1 million in international bonus money, should have no trouble clearing waivers. He’s earning $12 million in the final year of a three-year, $33 million deal, much of what is still being paid for by Toronto.

Canha, who was hitting .200 with a .377 on-base percentage in 18 games, was activated from the injured list and is with the A’s in Seattle, where they begin a two-game series Monday night. He was placed on the injured list on April 29 with a sprained right wrist and just finished a two-game rehab assignment with Triple-A Las Vegas, where he went 1-for-8 with a double and two RBIs.

With Robbie Grossman and Chad Pinder platooning in left field for the A’s, Canha will serve as a backup outfielder and first baseman. He also gives Melvin a strong pinch-hitting option.