Catcher Kurt Suzuki returns to the A’s

OAKLAND, Calif. — Kurt Suzuki is back in Oakland, where he began his big league career in 2007, following a trade with the Washington Nationals on Aug. 23.

BACK IN THE BAY — Catcher Kurt Suzuki, who signed with the Oakland A’s after being College World Series MVP for California State University, Fullerton, returned to the team after a trade.
photo by Scott Nakajima/Nakajima Photography

The Athletics brought back the durable and defensively sound 29-year-old catcher after injuries to John Jaso and Derek Norris put the team’s catching depth in jeopardy.

Suzuki was dealt to the Nats last August and platooned with Wilson Ramos behind the plate this year.

Shortly after going 1-for-3 and laying down the signals in the A’s 4-2 win over the Texas Rangers on Labor Day, Suzuki spoke highly of his time in the National League.

“I did have a great time in Washington,” he said. “I made some really, really, really good friends there. They’re a first class organization.”

He also expressed excitement to be back with the team that drafted him and to be working with a staff he already knows.

“It’s an exciting time,” he said. “They’re in the playoff race and yeah, knowing the pitchers makes the transition back easy.”

As of this writing, the A’s (79-59) are in a tie for first place in the American League West with Texas.

Since returning to the green and gold, Suzuki is 7-for-21 with one home run, four RBIs and four runs scored.