Barreto down but upbeat

SEATTLE — Franklin Barreto was sent back to Triple-A Nashville, as planned, before Saturday’s game, but the young infielder knew the move was coming. Plus, he’ll be back sometime later this month.

“He knew what was going on, he knew he was the one going down, but the conversation was great with him,” manager Bob Melvin said. “The chore for him next time he’s up here is to stay for good, and my guess is that could be the case.

“It’s good he got a taste of the big leagues. We’ve done that with some of our other guys the last few years, and they’ve been the better for it. My guess is he will be, too.”

Barreto hit .190 with two homers and four RBIs in 11 games. He was 4-for-32 in his

final nine games after going 4 for his first 10.

“I thought he did really well,” Melvin said. “I know the batting average he’d like to have a little higher, but he impressed right away with his first game and a walk-off his last game at home.”

A’s catcher Ryan Lavarnway also was designated for assignment. He had been recalled earlier in the week with catcher Josh Phegley on paternity leave.

Melvin said if Lavarnway clears waivers, the A’s would like to keep him.

“It’s one of those situations if he gets picked up, he’s in the big leagues somewhere, that’s great,” Melvin said. “I impressed on him we’d like to have him back and he intimated the same. I think he’s pretty comfortable here and he was here during the spring; you always want that third guy who knows how you do things, so it was good to get him here for a few games and hopefully we get to keep him.”

Lavarnway was 0-for-2 Friday, and he hit .274 with four homers in 61 games with Nashville. Matt McBride likely would be the next catcher up if the A’s have a need and if Lavarnway doesn’t clear waivers. Briefly: Melvin said he hopes to announce Sunday how the rotation lines up out of the All-Star break . ... The A’s bullpen ended a 12-game streak of allowing at least one run . ... Catcher Bruce Maxwell is batting .393 on the road . ... Shortstop Marcus Semien has hit safely in nine consecutive games at Safeco Field.