Athletics activate C Hernandez, option C Hinch to minors

— -- CHICAGO (Ticker) -- The Oakland Athletics switched catchers today, activating rookie Ramon Hernandez from the 15-day disabled list and sending A.J. Hinch to Class AAA Vancouver of the Pacific Coast League. Hernandez, 23, suffered a sprained left knee in a collision at the plate with Kansas City's Steve Scarsone on July 25 and was placed on the DL the following day. He was brought up from Vancouver on June 27 and was hitting .299 with three homers and 14 RBI in 19 games with the A's. Hernandez will share the catching duties with veteran Mike Macfarlane. Hinch, 25, was batting .219 with seven homers and 24 RBI in 72 games with Oakland. He began the year with the A's but was hitting just .203 in 53 games when he was optioned to Vancouver on July 12.