As Outright Joey Meneses

Published: Tuesday, July 21, 2026 at 1:55 am

Athletics Outright Joey Meneses, Opening Door to Free Agency

The Oakland Athletics have outrighted first baseman Joey Meneses, a move that allows the veteran player to pursue opportunities elsewhere. Meneses was designated for assignment over the weekend, and his outright status means he has the option to decline the assignment and become a free agent. This is not the first time Meneses has experienced an outright assignment in his career.

Meneses joined the Athletics organization on a minor league deal during the offseason and was added to the Major League roster in June. He made several appearances with the big league club, playing in nine games. During his time in the majors, he recorded three hits in twenty at-bats, drawing three walks. This marked his first Major League action since 2024, having spent the 2025 season in Triple-A with the Mets. Prior to that, Meneses played parts of three seasons with the Nationals from 2022 to 2024. His initial call-up in 2022 saw a surprisingly strong performance over half a season, but his subsequent years with the Nationals were more challenging.

Currently 34 years old, Meneses has been performing well in Triple-A this season. With the Las Vegas club, he has hit 12 home runs and maintained a .346 batting average, a .396 on-base percentage, and a .546 slugging percentage across 331 plate appearances. While he may not be known for drawing a high number of walks or possessing overwhelming power for a first baseman, Meneses is recognized for his strong contact hitting abilities and a history of achieving high batting averages in the minor leagues.

The Athletics are currently evaluating rookie infielder Tommy White at the first base position. They are also managing the absence of Nick Kurtz, who is sidelined with a thumb sprain. However, Kurtz's injury is anticipated to be short-term. Reports indicate that Kurtz has already commenced baseball-related activities and may be available for return as early as the upcoming weekend series.

BNN's Perspective: The outrighting of Joey Meneses highlights the fluid nature of roster construction in professional baseball, particularly for teams in transition. While Meneses has shown flashes of offensive capability, his age and previous struggles at the Major League level likely factored into the Athletics' decision. For Meneses, this presents an opportunity to find a new team where he might receive more consistent playing time or to explore other professional baseball avenues. The Athletics, meanwhile, continue to assess their younger talent and manage injuries as they navigate the current season.

Tags: Joey Meneses, Athletics, outrighted, free agency, Triple-A, Las Vegas, first baseman, MLB roster, minor league deal, Tommy White, Nick Kurtz, thumb sprain

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