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Ramirez signed a Minor League deal with the A's in February, and began the season in Extended Spring Training while sitting out a 50-game suspension. He reported to Triple-A Sacramento in late-May, and hit .302 with 14 RBI in 17 games for the River Cats.

The 40-year-old had been eligible to return to the Majors on May 30 when his suspension was over but was kept in Triple-A, and last week, Oakland GM Billy Beane said the team wasn’t sure when or if he would be called up.

Ramirez is the second veteran slugger to ask for and receive his release from a Minor League deal this week. On Tuesday, the Blue Jays cut ties with 37-year-old Vladimir Guerrero, who signed with Toronto in May and hit .358 with four home runs in 12 games split between Class-A Dunedin and Triple-A Las Vegas.

Upon Guerrero’s release, Jays GM Alex Anthropolous said “(Guerrero) felt he was worthy of a call-up and we weren't prepared to do that right now.”

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