TORONTO -- The A's parted ways with veteran right-hander John Axford on Thursday morning, designating the Canadian reliever for assignment ahead of their series finale in Toronto.
Axford, 34, has struggled for much of the season since coming off his first career disabled list stint May 20, pitching to a 6.43 ERA in 22 appearances. The rebuilding A's have been getting younger all the while, influencing their corresponding move for reliever Ryan Dull, fresh off the DL, on Thursday.
"Based on the direction we're going, what's been said here recently by the higher-ups in our organization, that is the direction we're going," A's manager Bob Melvin said.