Oakland A’s release veteran Nick Punto

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Needing to clear a roster spot after acquiring two pitchers the previous day, the A’s released Nick Punto, the veteran utility infielder, on Friday.

That means that Oakland will be on the hook for all but the pro-rated major-league minimum of Punto’s $2.75 million salary for 2015, once he is signed by another club. The fact that the A’s chose to remove an experienced utility infielder from the team is yet another indication that the club is manuevering to acquire an infielder in the coming days. Tampa Bay’s Ben Zobrist, Washington’s Ian Desmond and Boston’s Allen Craig could be among the top considerations.

The A’s picked up starter Jesse Hahn and reliever A.J. Alvarez in exchange for catcher Derek Norris on Thursday, putting them at 41 players on the 40-man roster.

In addition, outfielder Shane Peterson, designated for assignment last week, was claimed by the Cubs today.