Report: A's calling up switch-pitcher Pat Venditte
The Oakland Athletics are finally doing it: they're recalling Pat Venditte, a 'switch-pitcher' who throws from both sides of the mound, on Friday.
Rumors began circulating on Twitter early Friday and they were subsequently confirmed by MLB.com's Jane Lee, who provided more insight regarding Venditte's unique perspective as a pitcher fully capable of pitching with both hands: "Venditte wears a special glove that has six fingers and room for his thumb on either side, and he typically pitches with whichever arm will allow him to have the same-side advantage against a given hitter."
FOX Sports' Rob Neyer has seen Venditte in action, and he's a fan.
So far this season with the Triple-A Nashville Sounds in the Pacific Coast League, Venditte held hitters to a .167 average and posted a 1.36 ERA. Here's a feature on Venditte from KCRA Sacramento back in March, when Venditte was part of the A's spring training roster:
With Oakland heading into Fenway Park for a weekend set against the Boston Red Sox, Venditte's addition takes on an added importance when you consider that the Sox have three switch-hitters on their current roster: Pablo Sandoval, Blake Swihart and Sandy Leon.
Athletics Nation put together a solid explanation of the rule intricacies that go along with switch-hitters and switch-pitchers, such as the fact that Venditte has to indicate prior to the at-bat which hand he will use for the situation.
A's fans have wanted to see Venditte get a shot with the big league club all season, and now it appears as if they'll have their wish.