The Oakland A’s released left-handed pitcher Brian Fuentes, the club announced today.  Fuentes was designated for assignment July 3.

Fuentes was 2-2 with five saves, three blown saves and a 6.84 ERA in 26 relief appearances with the A’s.  He had a stint as the A’s closer in May and his first save on May 2 at Boston was the 200th of his career, making him the sixth left-hander in Major League history to record 200 saves.  Fuentes had a 2.84 ERA and .222 opponents batting average over his first 19 appearances through May 27.  However, he went 0-2 with a save, two blown saves, a 19.50 ERA and .452 opponents batting average over his final seven outings.  The 36-year-old left-hander has pitched for five teams in his 12-year career and has 204 saves and a 3.58 ERA in 644 career appearances.

The complete 2012 and career statistics for Fuentes follow:

FUENTES

W

L

ERA

G

GS

CG

SHO

SV

IP

H

R

ER

BB

SO

OAKLAND

2

2

6.84

26

0

0

0

5

25.0

30

19

19

10

18

CAREER

26

43

3.58

644

0

0

0

204

608.1

509

262

242

253

633