Joseph Estes: Everything you need to know

The Athletics recalled Estes from Triple-A Las Vegas on Tuesday. Estes has accumulated a 5.95 ERA and 1.49 WHIP in 59 innings (12 starts) at Triple-A this season, but he'll be welcomed back into the majors as the replacement on the active roster for Kade Morris, who was optioned to Las Vegas. Though the demotion of Morris creates a void in the big-league rotation, it's unclear if Estes will be the top choice to fill the open spot. Along with Estes, Mason Barnett is a candidate to join the rotation after striking out seven over four shutout innings of long relief in his most recent appearance Friday in Houston. With an off day on tap Thursday, the Athletics could get by without a fifth starter until next week, so Estes will likely be available out of the bullpen for at least the next couple of games.

The Athletics optioned Estes to Triple-A Las Vegas on Wednesday. After overcoming a herniated disc in his lower back, Estes threw 2.2 scoreless innings in Tuesday's Cactus League game against the White Sox in his spring training debut. He now finds himself cut from big-league camp a day later. Estes is ticketed for the Triple-A Las Vegas rotation at the start of the season.

Estes (back) is scheduled to make his spring debut during Tuesday's Cactus League game against the White Sox, Jason Burke of SI.com reports. The right-hander finished last season on the injured list due to a herniated disc in his lower back, and he ramped up slowly early on in spring training. Estes made just three appearances for the A's last season and spent most of the campaign at Triple-A Las Vegas, where he struggled to a 5.51 ERA across 80 innings.