Piscotty red-hot on offense and defense

DETROIT — In measured, understated fashion, Stephen Piscotty is slowly turning into one of Oakland’s better players.

Over the past 22 games, the A’s right fielder is batting .329 with four homers and 16 RBIs and regularly turning in impressive plays, including a diving catch to end the fifth inning of Oakland’s 5-4 win over the Tigers on Monday. He also had three hits, including a solo homer in the seventh, the A’s first run of the day.

Piscotty said he’s stopped thinking about some of the trendier obsessions in the game

and is going with his strengths.

“I’ve always been a line-drive hitter, so I’m trying not to worry too much about the launchangle type stuff,” he said. “I just feel like I operate best when I hit line drives. I’m doing that a little more consciously the last couple of weeks. It’s been feeling good and I’m feeling more like myself.

“I’d definitely became more aware of the launch-angle stuff. Guys are looking at it, it may have drawn me more away from what I like to do, which is shoot the ball hard on a line somewhere. In BP I found myself worrying more about

the home run than the hard line drive, and I’m trying to flip that a little bit and it feels really good.”

Manager Bob Melvin said he’s thought about moving Piscotty up into the second spot in the order, he’s hitting so well. “I’d be comfortable hitting him anywhere in the order,” Melvin said.

Hendriks let go: Reliever Liam Hendriks, a regular in Oakland’s bullpen much of the past 2½ seasons since being acquired from Toronto for Jesse Chavez, was designated for assignment Monday.

Since returning from the DL after surgery to remove a cyst on his right hip, he had allowed six runs in eight innings, including four Sunday at Chicago, where he gave up two homers.

“I just didn’t feel like he was ready, to tell you the truth,” Melvin said. “It was a pretty short rehab. The last thing you want to have to do is rehab a guy here, work him back in. It just ended up being a difficult period for him to try to get through.”