Joey Meneses Sent to A's Minor-League Camp Despite Grand Slam

Oakland Athletics reassigned veteran infielder Joey Meneses from big-league spring training to minor-league camp, the club announced March 1, 2026. Meneses arrived in Oakland as a non-roster invitee after signing a minor league contract in November 2025.

Meneses closed his brief major-league camp stay with a 2-for-5 line that included a grand slam, four RBI, two runs scored, a walk and two strikeouts, Yardbarker reported. RotoWire likewise logged the outing as part of Meneses going 2-for-5 with a home run, four RBI and two runs scored over five at-bats in three contests during spring training.

RotoWire summarized Meneses’ 2025 Triple-A season and age in its transaction report: “The 33‑year‑old produced a .264 average with 11 home runs, 55 RBI, 37 runs scored and two stolen bases over 387 at‑bats in 110 games with Triple‑A Syracuse last season,” and added that Meneses will be trying to earn a shot with Oakland’s major-league club in 2026. That Triple-A output and his spring power display framed Oakland’s decision to keep him as organizational depth rather than an immediate bench piece.

The roster moves that day were broader than Meneses alone. Yardbarker and SI published the club’s list: “The Athletics optioned right‑handed pitcher Eduarniel Nuñez to Triple‑A Las Vegas and right‑handed pitcher Henry Baez to Double‑A Midland, the club announced today. The A’s also reassigned left‑handed pitchers Wei‑En Lin and Domingo Robles, right‑handed pitchers A.J Causey, JJ Goss, Kenya Huggins and Yunior Tur; catcher Shane McGuire; and infielder Joey Meneses to their minor league camp.” After those cuts the A’s had 61 players in camp, including 38 on the 40-man roster and 23 non-roster invitees, with a breakdown of 32 pitchers, five catchers, 13 infielders and 11 outfielders.

Meneses’ recent transaction trail in the MILB table documents how he landed in Oakland’s system this winter: Feb 5, 2026 — Mexico activated 1B Joey Meneses; Jan 28, 2026 — Athletics invited non‑roster 1B Joey Meneses to spring training; Jan 27, 2026 — 1B Joey Meneses assigned to Mexico Verde; Nov 14, 2025 — 1B Joey Meneses assigned to Las Vegas Aviators; Nov 14, 2025 — Athletics signed free agent 1B Joey Meneses to a minor league contract; Nov 6, 2025 — 1B Joey Meneses elected free agency; Oct 21, 2025 — 1B Joey Meneses assigned to Tomateros de Culiacan; Oct 21, 2025 — Tomateros de Culiacan activated 1B Joey Meneses; Sept 22, 2025 — Syracuse Mets activated 1B Joey Meneses from the 7‑day injured list. The MILB record shows winter ball and a mid-November signing that preceded Oakland’s invitation.

FantasyPros recorded the move with the same outcome and organizational framing: “The Athletics reassigned INF Joey Meneses to minor league camp,” and noted, “Meneses was one of eight players reassigned to minor league camp. He'll continue to get reps in the rest of spring.” FantasyPros also summarized the contract: “The Athletics signed 1B Joey Meneses to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training,” and observed, “Meneses did not appear in the majors this past season. He will add infield depth for the Athletics organization.”

Despite the grand slam that made for a headline moment, the A’s treated Meneses as depth in a crowded camp. He will now continue work in minor-league camp with Las Vegas and Oakland’s winter-ball assignments on his recent ledger, aiming to turn a 2-for-5 spring and a .264 Triple-A season into the kind of sustained production that forces a big-league call.