Athletics designated RHP Joel Kuhnel for assignment.

The 31-year-old hurler came on with a three-run lead to protect in the ninth inning against the Cubs on Thursday afternoon and gave up four runs on five hits to take the loss. That appears to have been the final nail in his coffin. Kuhnel posted a respectable 4.21 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and a 14/6 K/BB ratio over 25 2/3 innings while notching four saves in 25 appearances for the A’s. He shouldn’t be out of work for long.