Lamb makes A’s debut a loud one in nightcap

The A’s made it official Monday, signing Jake Lamb toa deal as soon as the veteran infielder became a free agent.

Lamb, a good defender, will help fill the void following the news that Platinum Glove third baseman Matt Chapman will miss the rest of the season after hip surgery, which was scheduled for Monday in Vail, Colo.

Lamb is from Seattle and played at Washington; he made his A’s debut in his hometown in Game 2 of Monday’s doubleheader against the Mariners, going 2for4 with a double and a home run in a 90 win.

“It makes you feel part of the team,” manager Bob Melvin said. “It can be difficult coming in this late in the season to a new team and trying to get to know new teammates. You want to perform well right away and he did.”

Lamb, 29, was batting just .116 in 43 atbats when the Diamondbacks designated him for assignment last week. An AllStar in 2017 when he hit 30 home runs and drove in 105 runs, Lamb dealt with injuries during the 201819 seasons and played in only 134 games. In seven seasons with Arizona, he hit .239 with 81 home runs and 303 RBIs.

On Monday, Lamb said this is “the best I’ve felt physically in a few years” and that being let go by Arizona “was a little bit of a surprise.” He said he’s excited to join an A’s team in the playoff race.

“I saw this was a good opportunity for me, a chance to come in and get some ABs and hopefully contribute to a winning team and a playoff run,” Lamb said. “So this was a great fit for me.”

Lamb had only played three previous majorleague games in his hometown, in 2015: “So to do it here with a new team, having a fresh start, in Seattle, it was a special day.”

The A’s needed another infielder, particularly one who can play third, because utility player Chad Pinder followed Chapman onto the injured list Sunday; Pinder might miss the rest of the regular season, at least, with a hamstring strain.

“There’s a pretty good body of work from time to time,” Melvin said, adding that Arizona manager Torey Lovullo had told him he’s a big fan of Lamb’s. “Obviously, with

Chapman and Pinder out, this is a guy who can really help us. I know he’s excited about being here, and he’s going to get an opportunity.”

Lamb will be eligible for the postseason because he was in the organization before Tuesday’s deadline.

To make room for Lamb on the 40man roster, the A’s placed pitcher A.J. Puk, who is scheduled for shoulder surgery Wednesday, on the 45day injured list.

In addition, Oakland placed starter Frankie Montas on the paternity list, as expected, and righthander James Kaprie

lian joined the team as the 29th man for Monday’s doubleheader.