One interesting downside of the A's surprising contention for what is sure, given that they're the A's, to be a one-and-done appearance in the playoffs (we have to be real; we are nothing if we are not real), is that there's no time to worry about development of the kids. You've gotta go with who's going to win you games, because every game counts, and you're not just playing for draft position. Which at this point means: Dustin Fowler is headed to Nashville rather than continuing to run out in center field and battle through his struggles. Nick Martini, a fellow lefty, has taken his playing time, and Mark Canha had already taken the duties against lefty pitchers.

Susan Slusser reports that Ramon Laureano, a mid-level prospect with really good numbers in Nashville, and a righty swinger, is likely to come up in Fowler's place. If you needed another sign that Jake Smolinski's time in Oakland appears to be over, well, there you go. (Though the A's did choose to keep him on the 40-man roster and instead designated pitcher Carlos Ramirez for assignment to make room for Boog Powell's return from the 60-day disabled list.)