OAKLAND – The Oakland Athletics activated outfielder Ryan Sweeney from the 15-day disabled list and started him in right field against the Minnesota Twins on Thursday night.

Sweeney had been out with a sprained right thumb since Aug. 13 and went hitless in a one-game rehab assignment before joining his teammates for the start of a three-game series against the Twins. Sweeney was also on the DL earlier this season with a bruised toe.

Struggling outfielder Carlos Gonzalez was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento to make room for Sweeney. Gonzalez began the season in the minors but was called up in May and became the first major leaguer since Johnny Mize in 1936 to begin his career with seven straight extra-base hits.

Gonzalez batted .274 before the All-Star break but had been scuffling lately, batting .051 (2-for-39) over his last 13 games.

“Ryan Sweeney is ready to play and we feel like Carlos could use some at-bats in the minor leagues to get his swing going again playing down there,” A's manager Bob Geren said. “He's a very talented player and he's in a little bit of a slump right now.”

Geren did not say whether Oakland would recall Gonzalez when major league rosters are expanded on Sept. 1.