A’S RELEASE CATCHER VOGT

The Oakland Athletics’ youth movement is in full force, and it has left one of the team’s most respected players behind. Catcher

Stephen Vogt, a two-time AllStar who helped the A’s reach the 2013 and ’14 playoffs, was designated for assignment Thursday. The club called up Bruce Max

well, 26, to replace him. In an or- ganization known for frequent player turnover, Vogt was a steadying force as the secondlongest-tenured Athletic, having joined the team in June 2013. But he was batting .217 with a .644 on-base plus slugging percentage and had performed poorly defensively, losing playing time lately to Josh Phegley. “I understand the state the organization is in,” Vogt, 32, said in a conference call. “They’re moving on. No ill will, no harsh words. It’s part of the game. I stuck around four years. I got my degree.” The news hit hard in the clubhouse, where Vogt’s leadership skills and teamoriented attitude were widely appreciated. Manager Bob Melvin said that very morning Vogt texted him to pass along a tip for Maxwell. Vogt’s veteran teammates realize the direction the last-place A’s are taking, having promoted prospects such as third baseman Matt Chapman, first baseman-outfielder Matt Olson, outfielder Jaycob Brugman and utility man Chad Pinder from the minors this season. Infielder

Franklin Barreto, regarded as the club’s leading prospect, is expected in Oakland sometime in the summer.