Craig Gentry was supposed to be splitting time in center field with Sam Fuld this season. Instead, Gentry spent most of the season at Triple-A Nashville despite playing in more than 400 big-league games the previous six years.

“It was a big adjustment, but it was great, I learned a lot about myself,” said Gentry, who rejoined the club Tuesday. “I’m going to take the positives out of it. It was a difficult experience, but it was a good experience. I’m happy to be back, hopefully finish the season on a good note.”

Gentry, a speedster and strong defensive player, hit .079 in two previous stints with Oakland.When Billy Burns came up to sub for a short spell, he played well and claimed the job in center. So, Gentry didn’t return until Tuesday.

“Obviously, it’s tough for a guy who has been in the big leagues for a long time to be sent down,” said infielder Max Muncy, who also was recalled Tuesday after Nashville’s season ended. “But Craig handled it really well. He never said anything bad. He never complained.”

Manager Bob Melvin said the organization still values Gentry. “It’s not like we’ve given up on him; we’ve got good outfield depth, and he’s part of that.”

Gentry hit .256 with five homers, 25 RBIs and 25 steals in 101 games with Nashville, and got hot at the end, hitting .371 over the final 17 games.

“After playing so poorly up here and then going down there, I just had no confidence at the plate at all,” said Gentry, who eventually realized he was tinkering too much with his swing. “I just needed some positive things to happen.”

Gentry, 31, will be out of options next season, and the A’s might have an opening in the outfield if Josh Reddick — a free agent after 2016 — is traded, as seems likely.

Vogt update: Melvin said that catcher Stephen Vogt had a second ultrasound two days after being hit in the groin by a foul tip, and there are no ruptures: “Nothing that would require any surgery, now it’s just when he’s able to move around and play, which could be a while.”

Melvin said Vogt will be back in the clubhouse Wednesday and will go on the next road trip.

Briefly: Billy Butler had three hits and has 15 in his past 29 at-bats. ... Fuld (back) hit on the field and was available to play defense and pinch run. ... Chris Bassitt (shoulder) could begin playing catch by the end of the week, but it’s unlikely he’ll make another start this season.

Susan Slusser is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer.

On deck

Wednesday

vs. Astros

7:05 p.m. CSNCA

McHugh (15-7) vs. Brooks (1-2)

Thursday

Off

Friday

at Rangers

5:05 p.m. CSNCA

Chavez (7-14) vs. Lewis (14-8)

Leading off

Big finish: Max Muncy said that when Barry Zito pitched a scoreless inning for Nashville on Sunday in probably his final career outing, “It was Barry Zito Day. We decorated the entire clubhouse with about 100 photos of Zito, his stats, random stuff. When he came off the field, everyone was standing and clapping.”

— Susan Slusser