Athletics claim Joe Savery off waivers from Phillies

The Oakland Athletics have claimed left-hander Joe Savery off waivers from the Philadelphia Phillies, according to a team announcement. Savery was designated for assignment by Philadelphia recently to make room for new addition A.J. Burnett on the 40-man roster.

Savery, 28, joins lefties Fernando Abad and Sean Doolittle in a revamped Athletics' bullpen that also added Luke Gregerson and Jim Johnson earlier this winter. He appeared in 18 major league games with the Phillies last season, posting a 2-0 record and 3.15 ERA in 20 innings. In 22 appearances with Triple-A Lehigh Valley, he was 3-1 with a 3.51 ERA.

Savery is known for being extremely effective against right-handers, so there's a good chance he will crack Oakland's bullpen out of spring training. The former first round pick has a career 3-2 record and 4.15 ERA in 41 appearances over parts of three major league seasons.

To make room on the 40-man roster for Savery, the A's transferred Eric O'Flaherty to the 60-day disabled list. O'Flaherty, who was signed to a two-year, $7MM contract earlier in the offseason, will not be ready to pitch until midseason as he recovers from Tommy John surgery.