A’s Matt Joyce heads on rehab assignment, likely back next month

Matt Joyce has missed the A’s race into contention, spending most of the past three months on the disabled list with a back strain.

Now, Joyce is heading out on a rehab assignment, going to Triple-A Nashville on Tuesday - but don’t expect that the veteran left-handed hitter will supplant either of the outfielders brought up in his absence. Nick Martini and Ramón Laureano have both proven to be valuable, and Joyce will rejoin the A’s when rosters expand in September.

“Just great,” manager Bob Melvin said of Martini and Laureano, adding, “It seems like everyone we get from development is impactful for us.