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Oakland Athletics

8/15/2006

Frank Thomas, oak

Thomas is batting .343 (23-for-67) with five homers and 18 RBIs over his last 19 games. The 38-year-old designated hitter joined the Oakland Athletics in the offseason and is batting .263 with 25 homers and 69 RBIs in 95 games this season.

8/10/2006

Jay Witasick, oak

The A's activated Witasick from the 15-day disabled list Wednesday.

8/9/2006

Shane Komine, oak

The Oakland Athletics optioned Shane Komine back to Triple-A Sacramento after Jay Witasick returned off the disabled list.

8/8/2006

Jay Witasick, oak

Witasick was placed in the disabled on June 23 with left ankle tendinitis. He is eligible to come off the DL on Sunday.

8/7/2006

Mark Kotsay, oak

Kotsay left Sunday's game in the seventh inning with back spasms but not before extending his hitting streak to 13 games with a single in the third inning. His career high is 16 games.

8/4/2006

Jay Payton, oak

Payton was hit by a fastball on the right hand Thursday.

8/2/2006

Milton Bradley, oak

Although the Athletics expected Bradley to be back with the team on Wednesday after missing most of Tuesday's game with flu-like symptoms, the team decided not to place him after he showed up with an elevated temperature. The team has an off day Thursday.

8/1/2006

Bobby Crosby, oak

Crosby missed Monday's game because of back soreness.

7/30/2006

Eric Chavez, oak

Chavez set an Oakland record with his 60th consecutive errorless game at third base. Chavez broke the mark set by Mike Gallego over a five-year period from 1985-90.

7/27/2006

Frank Thomas, oak

Thomas homered twice and drove in four runs in the Athletics' 5-1 win over the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday.

7/20/2006

Frank Thomas, oak

Thomas hit his 20th homer of the season and drove in three runs in the Athletics' 5-1 win over the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday.

7/19/2006

Barry Zito, oak

Zito gave up one run and five hits in seven innings of the Athletics' 5-1 win over the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday.

7/17/2006

Mark Kotsay, oak

Kotsay went 4-for-5 with three RBIs in the Athletics' 8-1 win over the Boston Red Sox on Sunday.

7/16/2006

Frank Thomas, oak

Thomas left Sunday's game against Boston in the fourth inning because of an unspecified illness. Thomas, who returned from the disabled list on June 30, hit a line drive off the Green Monster in the second inning. But he lumbered to first base and wasn't able to take second.

7/13/2006

Frank Thomas, oak

Thomas is suing two White Sox doctors, claiming their misdiagnosis of his broken foot in 2004 led to further injury and his eventual departure from the team. Attorney Thomas Demetrio said the doctors misdiagnosed a fractured bone in Thomas' left foot as a bruise and cleared him to continue playing, which led to a second broken bone in the foot last year.

7/3/2006

Barry Zito, oak

Oakland's Zito was selected to his third All-Star team on Sunday as a starting pitcher for the American League. Zito is 8-5 with a 3.28 ERA this season.

7/1/2006

Frank Thomas, oak

Thomas was activated off the disabled list by the Athletics on Friday and was in the starting lineup against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The 38-year-old designated hitter missed 13 games with a strained right quadriceps muscle.

Mark Ellis, oak

Ellis was activated off the disabled list by the Athletics on Friday and was in the starting lineup against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Ellis had been sidelined since May 31 with a broken right thumb that forced him to miss 26 games. He played four games for Triple-A Sacramento in a rehab assignment.

6/30/2006

Nick Swisher, oak

Swisher struck out a career-high five times and matched the franchise record in Oakland's 6-5, 14-inning win over San Diego on Thursday. He is the sixth Oakland player to accomplish the dubious feat, along with Hall of Famers Lefty Grove and Reggie Jackson.

Ron Flores, oak

Flores earned his first major league victory by pitching four innings of one-hit relief in Oakland's 6-5, 14-inning win over San Diego on Thursday. The 26-year-old left-hander has appeared in 23 games over the past two seasons for the Athletics, but had yet to earn a win.

6/26/2006

Eric Chavez, oak

Chavez was held out of the A's lineup Sunday due to tendinitis in both forearms. Oakland manager Ken Macha hopes the Gold Glove third baseman will be available after Monday's off day when the team plays at San Diego starting Tuesday. "He just needs a day off," Macha said.

Mark Ellis, oak

Ellis, nursing a broken right thumb, will begin a rehab assignment for Triple-A Sacramento on Monday. He likely will play a couple of games at second base, then will be the designated hitter later in the week before possibly rejoining the A's on Friday night when they host the Arizona Diamondbacks.

6/20/2006

Milton Bradley, oak

Oakland placed Bradley on the 15-day DL on Tuesday, retroactive to Thursday. Bradley has a strained left shoulder and this is his second stint on the diabled list this season. He was activated on June 6 after missing 35 games with a sprained right knee and strained right oblique muscle.

6/19/2006

Steve Karsay, oak

Karsay announced his retirement on Sunday after playing 11 years in the major leagues. The A's 34-year-old reliever pitched two scoreless innings in Saturday's 5-4, 17-inning win over the Los Angeles Dodgers for his first victory since Sept. 11, 2002. Karsay finished his career with a 32-39 record, with 41 saves and a 4.01 ERA in 357 appearances and 40 starts. He also spent time with Cleveland, the New York Yankees, Atlanta and Texas during his 11 seasons.

6/18/2006

Mark Kotsay, oak

Kotsay missed his third straight game with back spasms on Sunday. "It's something that's going to crop up on him for the rest of his life," trainer Larry Davis said.

6/16/2006

Dan Johnson, oak

Johnson matched career-highs with four hits and four RBIs in Oakland's 9-6 win over the Seattle Mariners on Thursday. The A's first baseman has an eight-game hitting streak going into Friday's game.

6/15/2006

Frank Thomas, oak

The Oakland Athletics placed Thomas on the 15-day disabled list iwth a strained right quadriceps before Thursday's game against the Seattle Mariners. The A's designated hitter left Wednesday's game against Seattle in the third inning after hitting a ball off the left field fence that would've been a single. Thomas originally sustained the injury on May 11 against the Toronto Blue Jays and is making his fourth trip to the DL in the past three years.

6/12/2006

Bobby Crosby, oak

Crosby missed the entire series between the Oakland Athletics and New York Yankees with a sore right hand. The Oakland short stop is expected to be in the lineup on Tuesday.

6/9/2006

Scott Sauerbeck, oak

Sauerbeck was designated for assignment on Friday by the Cleveland Indians after struggling on the field and being plagued by issues off it. The left-handed reliever was 0-1 with a 6.23 ERA in 24 appearances. His dismissal from the team comes 10 days after he was arrested, accused of fleeing from police along with a woman charged with driving his car while drunk.

6/8/2006

Rich Harden, oak

Harden returned to the disabled list with a strained ligament in his right elbow Thursday. Harden had just come back from the DL with a torn oblique muscle and made only one start, pitching four innings on Sunday against Minnesota. But in the third inning, his sore elbow became worse. He underwent an MRI at the Cleveland Clinic on Wednesday, which revealed the strain.

6/6/2006

Milton Bradley, oak

The Oakland Athletics activated Bradley from the 15-day disabled list Tuesday. The center fielder had been sidelined since May 7 with a sprained knee and a strained oblique muscle.

6/4/2006

Rich Harden, oak

Harden was activated by the Oakland Athletics from the disabled list Sunday after being sidelined since April 26 with a strained back injury. The right-hander was scheduled to take the mound for Sunday's four-game series finale against the Minnesota Twins. He was 3-0 with a 4.06 ERA in five starts this season prior to Sunday's game and had gone unbeaten since Aug. 9, 2005.

6/3/2006

Esteban Loaiza, oak

Loaiza, sidelined since April 29 due to a strained muscle in his left side, threw a bullpen session and will pitch another rehab outing for Sacramento last week. The Athletics right-hander hopes to be activated after Wednesday's game in Cleveland and be available to start Thursday. "I'm doing everything I can to come back," Loaiza said.

Milton Bradley, oak

Bradley, who has been on the disabled list since April 27 with a strained muscle in his right side, was schedule for a rehab outing on Saturday. The Athletics outfielder may be activated as soon as Tuesday. "I watched him swing," manager Ken Macha said. "He looked pretty darn good."

6/2/2006

Barry Zito, oak

Zito made his 200th career start on Thursday, allowing four hits through seven scoreless innings in a 4-0 win over Minnesota. The Oakland Athletics starter also got his 1,000th career strikeout in the sixth inning.

5/31/2006

Mark Ellis, oak

Ellis will be placed on the disabled list Thursday after breaking his right thumb during Tuesday's game while trying to break up a double play. The Athletics second baseman is expected to be sidelined for up to six weeks.

5/21/2006

Frank Thomas, oak

Thomas is expected to be in the lineup on Monday against his former team when the Oakland Athletics take on the Chicago White Sox. This will be the first return to Chicago for Thomas, who spent 16 seasons with White Sox before being released in the offseason."It's always good to go home. That's been my adopted home for the last 16 years," Thomas said. "It'll be good to get back."

5/17/2006

Frank Thomas, oak

Thomas, who has been out nearly a week with a strained quad, could be back in Oakland's lineup Wednesday against Seattle. The Contra Costa Times is reporting that Thomas is ready to return as the A's designated hitter. He's batting .187 (20-for-107) with seven home runs and 18 RBIs in 30 games.

Steve Karsay, oak

Karsay, who made his major league debut with Oakland in 1993, rejoined the A's in a Sunday trade with Cleveland for an undisclosed amount of money. He was a top prospect when the A's acquired him for Rickey Henderson in July 1993, but he was quickly sidelined by two elbow surgeries and had reconstructive shoulder surgery in 2003. He worked a perfect inning Tuesday night in Oakland's 12-6 win over Seattle. He posted a 7.06 ERA for the Yankees and Rangers in 2005.

Milton Bradley, oak

Bradley, who has been out a knee sprain and oblique strain, suffered a setback in his recovery from the oblique injury. The Oakland outfielder has been out since April 27, and the Contra Costa Times is reporting that the switch-hitter's rehab for the oblique muscle will pretty much start over in terms of swinging from a bat right-handed. He could be out another two weeks or more, according to the newspaper.

Adam Melhuse, oak

Melhuse hit a grand slam in the third inning of Oakland's 12-6 victory over Seattle Tuesday. The A's catcher, who backs up Jason Kendall, has been productive of late. He's hit safely in six of seven games since May 4, going 10-for-28 (.357) with three doubles, three homers and 10 RBIs. Melhuse has homered in three of his last five games.

5/14/2006

Eric Chavez, oak

Chavez did not play in the Athletics' 4-1 win over the New York Yankees on Sunday, after making his return from a bacterial infection on Saturday. The third baseman went 0-for-5 in his return and the A's lost 4-3 to the Yankees in the second game of a three-game series on Saturday. He missed four consecutive games before returning and claimed he was not 100 percent when he played as a designated hitter in the loss.

5/13/2006

Justin Duchscherer, oak

Duchscherer was placed on the 15-day disabled list by the Athletics due to right elbow tendinitis. The right-hander has not appeared in a game since May 6 when he allowed a solo home run over one inning in a 3-2 win over the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

5/11/2006

Eric Chavez, oak

Chavez missed Oakland's 8-3 loss to Toronto Thursday -- the third straight game he has sat -- because of an illness believed to be food poisoning. The Oakland Web site reports that the A's third baseman was worse on Thursday and checked into a Toronto hospital. As the source of the illness still hasn't been determined. Chavez's status for this weekend's series at Yankee Stadium is uncertain.

Justin Duchscherer, oak

Duchscherer is bothered by tendinitis in his right elbow, which has kept the Oakland reliever from throwing his breaking stuff. The Oakland Web site is reporting that the right-hander was doing better Thursday, but he remains day-to-day. He is 2-1 with two saves and a 2.20 ERA in 15 appearances this season.

5/8/2006

Milton Bradley, oak

The Oakland Athletics placed Bradley on the 15-day disabled list with a sprained knee before Sunday's 3-2 loss to Tampa Bay. The move was made retroactive to April 27, two days after he suffered the injury at Texas. He also has a strained right oblique muscle. In 21 games this season, his first with the A's, Bradley is hitting .246 with three home runs and eight RBIs.

5/7/2006

Nick Swisher, oak

Swisher's first-inning double in Oakland's 3-2 win over Tampa Bay on Saturday extended his streak for safely reaching base to 25 games.

5/5/2006

Jason Kendall, oak

Kendall has been suspended four games for charging the mound and tackling Angels right-hander John Lackey on Tuesday. The Oakland catcher also was fined. He will begin his suspension Friday unless he appeals it. If he does, he can continue playing until he has a hearing that makes the final determination on his suspension.

5/3/2006

Jason Kendall, oak

Kendall charged the mound and tackled Angels right-hander John Lackey Tuesday, after the two had an exchange about Lackey's pitch location and the Oakland catcher's batting stance. Kendall confronted Lackey after the Angels pitcher told him not to lean over the plate, and the two wrestled near the pitching mound in the A's 10-3 win over Los Angeles.

5/2/2006

Barry Zito, oak

The Oakland Athletics' promising young rotation has struggled in 2006, but Zito worked 7 2/3 innings of scoreless baseball Monday night to lead the A's to a 1-0 victory over the Angels. Zito improved to 2-2 with a 4.63 ERA in six starts.

Milton Bradley, oak

Bradley was out Monday and isn't in Oakland's lineup Tuesday afternoon. The veteran outfielder is missing his sixth straight game because of a right knee strain and sore right hip. He hasn't played since April 25. He is hitting .246 with three homers and eight RBIs in 21 games this season.

5/1/2006

Esteban Loaiza, oak

The Oakland Athletics on Monday placed Loaiza on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to April 24, with a strained left trapezius muscle. The veteran right-hander, who usually is a fast starter in April, is 0-3 with a 8.35 ERA in four starts this season.

Bobby Kielty, oak

The Oakland Athletics placed right-hander Esteban Loaiza on the 15-day disabled list Monday and recalled Kielty to take his roster spot. Kielty, who can play all three outfield positions, was 0-for-4 in an earlier stint with the A's this season. He was 6-for-38 (.222) with a homer and four RBIs in 10 games for Triple-A Sacramento.

4/30/2006

Milton Bradley, oak

Bradley was out of the starting lineup for the third straight game Sunday because of a sore left knee, and manager Ken Macha said that Bradley also has some pain in his lower right side. The Oakland outfielder left Tuesday's game at Texas early because of his knee. Macha added that trainers do not believe the pain in Bradley's side was caused by favoring the sore knee.

4/28/2006

Rich Harden, oak

The Oakland Athletics placed Harden on the 15-day disabled list Friday with a muscle strain in his back. The 24-year-old right-hander left his Wednesday start during the fourth inning after suffering the injury. He is 3-0 with a 4.06 ERA in five starts this season.

4/27/2006

Rich Harden, oak

Harden left during the fourth inning of his Wednesday start with back spasms. The San Francisco Chronicle is reporting that the Oakland right-hander will undergo an MRI exam on Thursday to determine the severity of the injury.

4/24/2006

Huston Street, oak

Street played catch again on Sunday, making 32 throws, but his strained chest muscle kept him from stepping onto a mound over the weekend. The Oakland closer has missed five straight games and it isn't certain that he will be available for the A's series that starts Monday against Texas.

4/23/2006

Huston Street, oak

Street played catch on Saturday and could be available to pitch on Monday after a strained chest muscle has kept him out of the last four games.

4/22/2006

Bobby Crosby, oak

Crosby is not expected to miss significant time for the Athletics with a strained right triceps muscle, an injury he suffered in batting practice Friday before the A's played the Los Angeles Angels. Crosby's injury is deep beneath the armpit where the triceps muscle begins -- an uncommon spot that makes it difficult to treat.

4/20/2006

Huston Street, oak

Street has a slight muscle strain on the right side of his chest. The Oakland closer, who felt tightness beneath the armpit area of his throwing arm while converting a save for the Athletics on Tuesday night, will be out of action at least through Friday.

4/14/2006

Jay Witasick, oak

Witasick was placed on the 15-day disabled list on Friday because of a sprained left ankle. The right-hander was injured while covering first base on a play in the eighth inning of Thursday's loss to the Twins. Witasick has appeared in three games this season, allowing six hits, three earned runs and walking four in five innings.

4/5/2006

Marco Scutaro, oak

Scutaro started at short Tuesday for the injured Bobby Crosby, and he should play regularly for the A's with the starting shortstop expected to miss about a week. Crosby suffered a bruised and cut index finger when he was spiked tagging New York's Robinson Cano on a steal attempt in Monday's opener.

Bobby Crosby, oak

Crosby, who was injured in Oakland's opener Monday, will miss about a week with a bruised and deeply cut index finger on his left hand. The A's shortstop suffered the injury when he was spiked tagging Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano on a steal attempt in the third inning. Crosby stayed in the game, but left an inning later and was replaced by Antonio Perez.

4/4/2006

Barry Zito, oak

Zito worked the shortest outing of his career Monday, recording just four outs in the Yankees' 15-2 victory over the A's. The Oakland ace allowed four hits, four walks and seven earned runs, four of which scored on a second-inning grand slam by New York third baseman Alex Rodriguez.

Bobby Crosby, oak

Crosby was injured in the third inning of Oakland's opener Monday, a 15-2 loss to the New York Yankees. The A's shortstop suffered a laceration on his left index finger after tagging Robinson Cano on a stolen-base attempt. Crosby stayed in the game for another inning before he was replaced by Antonio Perez.

3/31/2006

Frank Thomas, oak

Oakland manager Ken Macha told the Contra Costa Times that Thomas will be in the lineup for the first two games of the regular season. The manager refused to speculate beyond that point, but look for the oft-injured designated hitter to be in the A's batting order Monday against Randy Johnson and the New York Yankees in the season opener for both clubs.

3/28/2006

Frank Thomas, oak

Thomas made his Cactus League debut for Oakland Sunday, hitting a home run off Colorado's Josh Fogg in three trips to the plate. A's manager Ken Macha told the San Francisco Chronicle that his designated hitter felt fine on Monday, and Thomas should be in the lineup Tuesday against the Texas Rangers.

3/22/2006

Bobby Kielty, oak

Kielty took batting practice Wednesday, the first time since straining a right oblique muscle two weeks ago. If he feels fine on Thursday, the Oakland outfielder will join DH Frank Thomas in hitting against major league pitchers Joe Blanton, Joe Kennedy and Kirk Saarloos at the A's minor league complex.

3/21/2006

Frank Thomas, oak

The Contra Costa Times reports that Thomas appeared in a minor league game Tuesday, going 3-for-8 with a single and double. The Oakland DH jogged to first base after his hits. Thomas took batting practice Wednesday and is expected to face A's right-hander Joe Blanton and two other major league pitchers at the minor league complex on Thursday.

3/18/2006

Dan Meyer, oak

Meyer, acquired in the Tim Hudson trade with Atlanta before the 2005 season, worked four scoreless innings against the Los Angeles Angels Friday. He made a good impression in his second appearance, though the A's lost 2-1 in 10 innings to the Angels.

3/17/2006

Frank Thomas, oak

Thomas will face live pitching for the first time since last July on Saturday. Oakland's designated hitter will hit in a minor league game. This is the next step for Thomas, who has been taking batting practice, participating in infield drills and doing some light jogging. He will get at least five at-bats and his baserunning will be limited to jogging down to first base.

2/25/2006

Frank Thomas, oak

Thomas received positive reports from doctors Friday on his recovering left ankle, allowing him to intensify his workouts with the Oakland Athletics. The 38-year-old slugger was limited to 108 games the past two seasons because of broken bones in the ankle. "All signs point to Frank hitting off the tee and soft tosses Saturday," trainer Larry Davis said. "He's ready to go."

1/29/2006

Jason Kendall, oak

Kendall told the San Francisco Chronicle over the weekend that he had his left knee cleaned out a few days after the 2005 season ended. The Oakland catcher said the knee is "100 percent better than it was" before the minor procedure. He should be ready to go when training camps open next month. In his first season with Oakland in 2005, Kendall batted .271 with 28 doubles, no homers and 53 RBIs in 150 games. He slugged just .321.

1/28/2006

Mark Ellis, oak

Ellis signed a two-year, $6 million contract Saturday with the Oakland Athletics, avoiding arbitration. In his third year with the team, the second baseman hit an impressive .316 with 13 home runs and 52 RBIs in 434 at-bats last season.

1/25/2006

Frank Thomas, oak

Thomas agreed to a $500,000, one-year contract with Oakland on Wednesday, where one of the most feared hitters of the last 15 years will serve as the primary designated hitter. Thomas, who spent the first 16 seasons of his career with the Chicago White Sox, hit .219 with 12 home runs and 26 RBIs in 34 games in 2005.

1/11/2006

Milton Bradley, oak

Avoiding arbitration, the Oakland Athletics and Bradley agreed to a one-year contract Wednesday. The A's acquired the 27-year-old outfielder in a trade with the Los Angeles Dodgers on Dec. 13. A switch-hitter, Bradley posted a .290 average with 13 home runs and 38 RBIs in 283 at-bats for the Dodgers last season.

Kiko Calero, oak

Calero agreed to a one-year contract with the Oakland Athletics Wednesday. The right-handed reliever was 4-1 with one save in 55.2 innings pitched for Oakland last season, where he posted a 3.23 ERA.

1/10/2006

Bobby Kielty, oak

Kielty and the Oakland Athletics avoided salary arbitration Monday by agreeing to a $1.85 million, one-year contract. The switch-hitting outfielder hit .263 with 10 home runs and 57 RBIs in 377 at-bats in 2005, his second season in Oakland. His deal includes $50,000 in incentives based on plate appearances.

12/20/2005

Steve Karsay, oak

Karsay signed a minor league deal with the Cleveland Indians on Monday. The 33-year-old was released by the New York Yankees last season and finished the year with the Texas Rangers, going 0-1 with a 7.06 ERA in 20 games overall. He registered a career-best 20 saves in 2000 with the Indians and spent three-plus seasons there.

Joe Kennedy, oak

Kennedy agreed to a one-year, $2.4 million deal with the Oakland Athletics on Monday, avoiding salary arbitration. His deal allows him to earn an additional $350,000 in performance bonuses. After being acquired from Colorado in July, the southpaw went 2-5 with a 5.06 ERA in eight starts and had a 3.00 ERA in 11 relief appearances for the A's. Overall, he was 8-13 with a 6.01 ERA in 35 games. He is 35-51 with a 4.91 ERA in his career.

12/7/2005

Frank Thomas, oak

The Chicago White Sox declined arbitration on Thomas, officially making him an unrestricted free agent. The veteran slugger, who missed the majority of the 2005 campaign with an ankle injury, had a $10 million option on his contract for 2006, but the team decided to buy out the deal for $3.5 million instead. Thomas batted .219 with 12 home runs in just 105 at-bats last season prior to landing on the disabled list.

11/28/2005

Esteban Loaiza, oak

Loaiza has agreed to a three-year, $21,375,000 contract with the Oakland Athletics. With the Washington Nationals in 2005, Loaiza went 12-10 with a 3.77 ERA in 34 starts, striking out 173 and walking 53 in 217 innings.

11/7/2005

Scott Sauerbeck, oak

Sauerbeck and the Cleveland Indians came to terms on a one-year contract for the 2006 season. The left-hander, who came over from the National League in 2004, enjoyed a solid season in the Indians' pen. He went 1-0 with a 4.04 ERA in 58 relief appearances.

Huston Street, oak

Street saved 23 games as a 2005 rookie and claimed American League Rookie of the Year honors on Monday. The Oakland right-hander, drafted in 2004, posted an impressive 1.72 ERA and .194 opponent batting average in his first full year of pro ball with the A's. The 22-year-old rookie was 5-1 with 72 strikeouts in 78.1 innings. Street received 15 first-place votes in the balloting.

11/4/2005

Frank Thomas, oak

On Friday, the Chicago White Sox declined their 2006 option on Thomas and will buy him out for $3.5 million. The move wasn't a surprise following two straight injury-plagued seasons by the White Sox' slugger, who exercised a $10 million mutual option for 2006 on Monday. Chicago had five days to decide on its part of the option. Thomas batted .219 with 12 home runs in just 105 at-bats in a 2005 season shortened by fractures in his left ankle and foot.

11/2/2005

Jay Witasick, oak

The Oakland Athletics and Witasick came to terms on a two-year, $2.75 million deal that includes a $2 million option for 2008. The veteran reliever signed a few days after filing for free agency. Witasick pitched for Colorado and Oakland in 2005, posting a 1-5 record, one save and 2.84 ERA between the two clubs.

Eric Chavez, oak

Chavez has decided not to undergo shoulder surgery this offseason. The Oakland third baseman was bothered by pain in his shoulder throughout the season, but still played in 160 games hitting 27 home runs and 101 RBIs.

10/31/2005

Frank Thomas, oak

Thomas has exercised his option to return to the White Sox for 2006. In his 2005 season that was abbreviated by a fractured left ankle, Thomas hit 12 home runs and knocked in 26 runs in 34 games while hitting .219. He tops the all-time White Sox list in several offensive categories, including home runs, doubles, runs, RBI, OBP and slugging.

10/29/2005

Esteban Loaiza, oak

It looks like Loaiza may not be pitching for the Nationals next season. Although the club exercised its option on the pitcher's contract Saturday, it was a mutual option -- and the pitcher declined it.

10/18/2005

Jay Payton, oak

On Monday, the Oakland Athletics exercised their $4 million option on Payton for the 2006 season. Acquired from Boston for reliever Chad Bradford in July, Payton hit .269 with 13 homers and 42 RBI in 69 games with Oakland. Before the trade, he batted .263 with five home runs and 21 RBI in 55 contests for Boston. His 2005 campaign also featured a dugout spat on July 6 with Red Sox manager Terry Francona, which sparked his trade to Oakland.

10/2/2005

Eric Chavez, oak

Chavez will sit out the Athletics final game of the season in order to rest his sore right shoulder. Chavez has been playing in pain for the majority of the season, and will likely require off-season surgery. Although no schedule has been put in place, the third baseman said that had the A's not been in contention, a procedure would have likely taken place around the All-Star break in effort to correct the problem.

9/28/2005

Bobby Crosby, oak

Crosby tweaked his ankle injury in Wednesday's game against the Angels, and the Oakland shortstop left after six innings. With the A's eliminated from postseason play a bit later in the evening, Crosby may not play much the rest of the way. He is batting .276 with nine homers and 38 RBI in 84 games this season.

9/27/2005

Danny Haren, oak

Haren has signed a four-year, $12.65 million contract with the Athletics that will keep him with the club through at least the 2009 season with a club option for 2010. The righthander was acquired during the offseason in a trade with St. Louis that sent Mark Mulder to the Cardinals and Haren, Daric Barton, and Kiko Calero to Oakland.

Rich Harden, oak

Harden will not start for the Oakland Athletics on Tuesday night. The ball goes to Joe Kennedy, and the A's ace will be available in the bullpen. Harden worked a scoreless inning of relief on Sunday, in his return from a muscle injury in his pitching shoulder.

9/26/2005

Rich Harden, oak

Harden was impressive in a one-inning relief outing on Sunday, five weeks after he last pitched for the Oakland Athletics because of a muscle injury in his pitching shoulder. He touched the high 90s in his Sunday appearance, sparking the possibility that he might start for the A's against the Angels on Tuesday night.

9/24/2005

Rich Harden, oak

Harden threw a 31-pitch simulated game on Friday, and after participating in some light toss on saturday could be available to pitch out of the bullpen as soon as sunday. that according to A's pitching coach Curt Young.

9/22/2005

Bobby Kielty, oak

Kielty will receive treatment and work out on Thursday, an off day for Oakland. If all goes well, Kielty could be in the A's starting lineup against Texas lefthander Kenny Rogers on Friday night. The A's outfielder has been sidelined for a little more than two weeks with an oblique strain.

Justin Duchscherer, oak

Duchscherer didn't pitch in this week's Minnesota series because of back spasms, but the A's righthanded reliever is expected to be available against Texas this weekend. He is 6-4 with a 2.27 ERA and five saves in 60 games this season.

9/21/2005

Bobby Kielty, oak

Kielty says he's ready to play after battling an oblique strain for the last couple of weeks. The Oakland outfielder hasn't been called on as a pinch-hitter during the A's series with Minnesota to start the week, but he says he's now available.

Justin Duchscherer, oak

Duchscherer may not be available in Oakland's bullpen until the weekend because of a back ailment that has flared up from time to time this season. The A's setup man believes the six-hour flight from Boston to Oakland on Sunday may have played a role in his current discomfort.

Bobby Crosby, oak

Crosby was out of the Oakland lineup on Tuesday night, the day following his return from an ankle fracture. His left ankle still was sore Tuesday from landing hard on the first-base bag during Monday night's game. Crosby is expected to be ready for Wednesday's matinee, which closes out the A's series with Minnesota.

9/20/2005

Bobby Crosby, oak

Crosby was back in Oakland's starting lineup on Monday. The A's shortstop went 0-for-2 and scored a run before Marco Scutaro pinch-hit for him late in the game. Monday marked Crosby's return from an ankle fracture he suffered during the final week of August. He missed barely more than three weeks with the injury.

9/19/2005

Bobby Crosby, oak

Crosby took batting practice with his Oakland teammates on Sunday, after executing a series of agility and fielding drills on Saturday. Crosby filled out his Sunday by taking part in all normal pregame activity, including fielding grounders and running, and he did not limp or show discomfort, though he admitted that his ankle was a little sore during batting practice.

9/18/2005

Bobby Crosby, oak

Crosby successfully executed a series of agility and fielding drills at Fenway Park Saturday, setting up the Oakland shortstop to return next week -- perhaps as soon as Tuesday or Wednesday. The drills were considered a limited workout, but Crosby had no pain. He is expected to take fielding practice with the team on Sunday, weather permitting, and Crosby is hoping to take batting practice as well.

9/17/2005

Rich Harden, oak

Harden admitted Friday that he has no idea if he will be able to pitch again this season. Harden, who has been sidelined since August 20 with a muscle injury in his pitching shoulder, said he didn't know where manager Ken Macha had come up with September 25 as a possible return date. He said no timetable has been set.

9/16/2005

Barry Zito, oak

Zito is scheduled to start Monday against Minnesota, but the A's lefthander could be pushed back a couple of days in order to line him up to work the series opener against the division-rival Angels a week later on September 26. The extra days of rest wouldn't hurt, either, as Zito has posted an 8.10 ERA in three September starts.

Bobby Kielty, oak

Kielty's oblique strain hasn't come around as quickly as anticipated. It was thought the Oakland outfielder might be ready to play this weekend, but now he's expected to return at some point during the upcoming A's homestand, which begins on Monday against Minnesota.

Rich Harden, oak

Harden threw 40-45 pitches from flat ground on Thursday, and a similar session is planned for this weekend. The Oakland righthander is trying to return from a muscle strain in his upper back before the regular season comes to an end.

9/15/2005

Bobby Crosby, oak

Out with an ankle fracture he suffered during the last weekend in August, Crosby has yet to start taking batting practice. Still, the Oakland shortstop is hoping to return to action next week. His status won't be evaluated by team doctors until Monday, so a rapid return to the A's lineup seems unlikely.

9/14/2005

Bobby Kielty, oak

Out since September 4 with an oblique strain, Kielty could return this weekend. The Oakland outfielder was able to hit from the left side of the plate with no pain before Tuesday's game. He'll continue to rehab and could be ready to go against Boston this weekend if he doesn't experience a setback.

9/13/2005

Rich Harden, oak

Harden's setback on Sunday, while rehabbing a muscle strain in his upper back, could mean the Oakland righthander won't make another start during the regular season. While that's a possible scenario the A's hope doesn't play out, the team is looking for a rebound and would like Harden to make a start during the last week of the season.

9/12/2005

Rich Harden, oak

Harden suffered yet another setback in his attempt to return from a muscle strain in his upper back, suffered on August 19. He was scheduled to start Friday against Boston, but after only throwing 15 of a planned 35 pitches during a simulated game on Sunday, those plans are on hold. The earliest that he could start is now some time next week.

9/11/2005

Dan Johnson, oak

Johnson belted the first grand slam of his major league career, going deep in the second inning of Saturday's victory over the Texas Rangers. The A's rookie first baseman has homered in each of his last two games.

9/6/2005

Mark Kotsay, oak

Kotsay didn't make his anticipated return to the Oakland lineup over the weekend, but A's manager Ken Macha believes his center fielder will be ready to go on Tuesday against Seattle. Kotsay hasn't played since August 28 because of back spasms.

Bobby Kielty, oak

Kielty strained his right oblique muscle Sunday, when he checked his swing on the first pitch he saw from New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera in the ninth inning of Oakland's 7-3 loss. The A's outfielder was in enough pain on Monday that team trainer Larry Davis wouldn't venture a guess about Kielty's return.

Rich Harden, oak

Harden played long toss without discomfort before Monday's game, making roughly 20 throws from 90 feet. All went well, and Oakland team trainer Larry Davis hopes the A's ace righthander will be ready to face Texas on Sunday.

Brad Halsey, oak

Halsey may not make another start for Arizona this season, as manager Bob Melvin is concerned about the rookie's innings total and a recent drop in velocity. The 24-year-old lefthander has given up at least four runs in each of his last five starts, taking the loss in each of them. For the season, Halsey is 8-12 with a 4.50 ERA over 26 starts and 158 innings.

9/5/2005

Rich Harden, oak

Out since August 19 with a muscle strain in his upper back, Harden could return to the Oakland rotation on Sunday, September 11, at Texas or Monday, September 12, at Cleveland. The A's righthander will begin long toss early in the week and build up his baseball activity for a return in a week.

9/3/2005

Milton Bradley, oak

On Friday, the Los Angeles Dodgers transferred Bradley from the 15-day to the 60-day disabled list. The outfielder is sidelined with a torn left patella tendon and ACL damage.

9/2/2005

Mark Kotsay, oak

Kotsay, who hasn't played for Oakland since Sunday because of back spasms, is expected to return to the A's lineup this weekend. He may not play every day when he first returns, but he is doing well enough to get back on the field for Oakland's stretch-drive push for a playoff spot.

9/1/2005

Mark Kotsay, oak

Kotsay's bad back was examined on Wednesday, and the diagnosis is nothing more than back spasms. There are no neurological issues, but the Oakland center fielder is expected to miss the next 3-4 days.

Keith Ginter, oak

On Wednesday, the Oakland Athletics placed starting shortstop on the 15-day disabled list and recalled Ginter from Triple-A Sacramento. In 14 games for Sacramento this season, Ginter is batting .333 with eight doubles, three homers and 12 RBI. He has spent most of the season with the A's, hitting .167 with three homers and 25 RBI in 46 contests.

Joe Kennedy, oak

Kennedy will make his second straight start Thursday for injured righthander Rich Harden. The Oakland lefthander, who worked five innings and allowed one run in a win over Baltimore on August 27, will face the Angels in Anaheim on Thursday evening.

Marco Scutaro, oak

Scutaro is in line to take over at short for Oakland, after starter Bobby Crosby was diagnosed with an ankle fracture on Wednesday. Crosby will be out at least three weeks, so Scutaro will get a chance to build on his .243 average, five homers and 26 RBI in 93 games this season.

Rich Harden, oak

An MRI exam has confirmed a muscle strain in Harden's upper back. The Oakland righthander will not make his scheduled start Thursday and seems certain to miss next Tuesday's outing as well. It's uncertain how long it will take for the injury to heal.

Bobby Crosby, oak

An MRI exam on Wednesday revealed Crosby suffered an ankle fracture over the weekend. The Oakland shortstop will miss at least three weeks with the injury. He has posted hitting percentages of .286/.356/.474, with nine home runs and 38 RBI in 77 games.

8/31/2005

Mark Kotsay, oak

Kotsay's back kept him out again on Tuesday, and the A's center fielder has returned to Oakland to be examined by team orthopedist Jerrald Goldman. The recurrence of back spasms has become a concern.

Rich Harden, oak

Harden has been experiencing pain in an upper right back muscle lately, and the discomfort was as bad as ever while throwing in the bullpen before Oakland's Tuesday night game against the Los Angeles Angels. The A's righthander had to stop after throwing roughly a dozen pitches because the muscle tightened up on him. He has been scratched from his Thursday start against the Angels, and his scheduled outing for the following Tuesday also has been scrapped.

Bobby Crosby, oak

Crosby was penciled into Oakland's lineup Tuesday night, but he was scratched for a third straight game because of a sprained left ankle. The A's now plan to have their shortstop undergo a CT scan of the ankle.

8/29/2005

Scott McClain, oak

After trading Matt Lawton to the New York Yankees on Saturday, the Chicago Cubs recalled McClain from Triple-A Iowa. The 33-year-old first baseman, making his first major league appearance since appearing in nine games for Tampa Bay in 1998, has enjoyed a terrific season at Iowa. He has batted .291 with 27 doubles, 30 homers and 93 RBI in 121 games.

Mark Kotsay, oak

Kotsay's ailing back flared up on Sunday, and he left before the conclusion of Oakland's 10-3 win over Baltimore. He sat out Monday's series finale against the Orioles, which produced a 10-5 A's victory.

Bobby Crosby, oak

Crosby suffered a sprained left ankle in Oakland's 12-3 win over Baltimore Saturday. The A's shortstop sat out Sunday's 10-3 victory and wasn't in the lineup for Monday afternoon's series finale against the Orioles.

Ron Flores, oak

The Oakland Athletics on Monday recalled utilityman Freddie Bynum from Triple-A Sacramento and optioned Flores to the same affiliate. In six relief appearances with the A's this season, the 26-year-old lefthander has posted a 1.69 ERA over 5.1 innings.

8/26/2005

Barry Zito, oak

Zito claimed a winning decision for the first time in three weeks, shutting out the Detroit Tigers on four hits through six innings Thursday night to run his record to 12-10, 3.49.

8/25/2005

Eric Chavez, oak

Returning to the Athletics after the birth of his son, Chavez celebrated by going 3-for-4, including his 21st home run of the year, in a 9-2 victory over the Detroit Tigers Wednesday night.

Milton Bradley, oak

Bradley has been placed on the 15-day disabled list by the Los Angeles Dodgers, due to an 80-percent tear of the patella tendon in his left knee, as well as a problem with his anterior cruciate ligament. The outfielder, who was injured while running the bases in Monday's loss to the Florida Marlins, has been encouraged to undergo surgery for the ailments, which would put an end to his 2005 campaign. Mike Edwards was recalled to replace Bradley on the roster.

8/22/2005

Eric Chavez, oak

Chavez will likely miss Tuesday's game at Detroit, as he has returned home for the birth of his child. He is expected to be back in the lineup Wednesday.

Milton Bradley, oak

Bradley was removed from the Dodgers' lineup after he irritated the patella tendon in his left knee while grounding into a double play in the first inning of Monday's loss to the Florida Marlins. The outfielder, who was replaced by Jason Repko, has been listed as day-to-day. In 74 games this season, he is batting .290 with 13 home runs, 38 RBI and six stolen bases.

Brad Halsey, oak

Halsey matched his shortest outing of the season, lasting just four innings in Sunday's loss to the Cincinnati Reds. Prior to his departure, the Diamondbacks' lefthander allowed seven runs on eight hits, including three home runs. He struck out two and walked one. For the season, Halsey is 8-10 with a 4.39 ERA in 25 appearances, including 24 starts.

8/20/2005

Kirk Saarloos, oak

Saarloos is expected to start on Wednesday against the Detroit Tigers. It will eb nine days between starts for Saarloos, who allowed two runs in 6.0 innings in his last appearance on August 13.

8/16/2005

Barry Zito, oak

Zito lost for the first time since June 17 on Monday, allowing five runs (three earned) to Baltimore in a 6-2 Oakland loss. In between his last two losses, the A's lefthander went 8-0 with a 2.27 ERA and 1.00 WHIP in 10 starts. For the season, he is 11-9 with a 3.65 ERA.

8/15/2005

Matt Watson, oak

The Oakland Athletics placed outfielder Nick Swisher on the bereavement list Monday and recalled Watson from Triple-A Sacramento. Watson is hitting .313 with 16 home runs and 73 RBI in 99 games for Sacramento. In two prior stints with the A's in 2005, the 26-year-old outfielder is 5-for-33 (.152) with two doubles, three runs scored and three RBI.

Nick Swisher, oak

The Oakland Athletics placed Swisher on the bereavement list prior to Sunday's 2-1 loss to the Minnesota Twins. The rookie right fielder will be out for a minimum of three days and a maximum of seven. He is hitting .256 with 16 home runs and 58 RBI in 92 games this season.

8/14/2005

Jay Payton, oak

Payton walloped a three-run homer to lead the Athletics to a 5-2 victory over the Minnesota Twins Saturday. Since his trade to the A's, he has hit eight round trippers for 23 RBI and a .566 slugging percentage in 24 games.

8/11/2005

Mark Kotsay, oak

Bothered by a back ailment recently, Kotsay originally was in the Oakland lineup as the designated hitter Wednesday, but by game time, manager Ken Macha decided to give his center fielder another day to rest his back. Adam Melhuse served as the DH instead, and he homered in a 4-3 A's win over the Angels.

Barry Zito, oak

For the first time in nine starts Wednesday, Zito didn't come away with a win. The Oakland lefthander turned in a quality start, allowing just two runs over six innings to the division-rival Angels, but the A's pulled out the victory after Zito was gone to claim a tie atop the American League West.

8/10/2005

Mark Kotsay, oak

Kotsay's back, which has kept him out of seven of Oakland's last nine games, wasn't in the A's lineup Tuesday. The off day on Monday wasn't enough rest to get the A's center fielder ready to play again. Oakland manager Ken Macha said after Tuesday's loss to the Angels that he thought Kotsay would be OK to play on Wednesday against the A's divisional rival.

Kirk Saarloos, oak

Bothered by a blister on his right thumb, Saarloos will relinquish his Thursday start to Joe Blanton and will pitch on Saturday for Oakland. The 26-year-old Saarloos, who is 7-6 with a 4.21 ERA in 19 starts and a pair of relief appearances, will face Minnesota on Saturday.

Joe Blanton, oak

With the Oakland Athletics aided by a day off this week, Blanton will move up and start Thursday against the Angels. He will make the start in place of Kirk Saarloos, who has developed a blister on his right thumb.

8/8/2005

Mark Kotsay, oak

Kotsay's back ailment continues to be an issue. After missing six of seven games recently, the Oakland center fielder left with back spasms during the fourth inning of Sunday's 11-0 romp over Kansas City. He was moving slowly around the Oakland clubhouse after the game, but he has an off day on Monday to recuperate.

8/5/2005

Steve Karsay, oak

On Thursday, the Texas Rangers recalled Karsay from Double-A Frisco, almost 10 weeks after he signed a minor league deal with the club. The 33-year-old righthander was 1-3 with a 4.81 ERA in 23 games between Frisco and Triple-A Oklahoma since signing with the Rangers.

8/2/2005

Mark Kotsay, oak

After returning to action Sunday, Kotsay didn't play in Oakland's win over Minnesota on Monday. Bothered by a back ailment that has left him day-to-day, the A's center fielder was on the bench at the Metrodome, one of the few remaining baseball venues that still has artificial turf.

7/29/2005

Frank Thomas, oak

Reportedly Thomas is done for the year. Dr. Richard Ferkel, who operated on Thomas' ankle on October 6, discovered a second fracture after performing a series of tests in Los Angeles earlier this week. Dr. Ferkel believes the White Sox' designated hitter reinjured the foot over the last two weeks. While the second fracture is not career-threatening, Thomas is not expected to return to action this season.

7/28/2005

Mark Kotsay, oak

Kotsay hasn't played since Sunday with a back ailment that made the A's center fielder a day-to-day proposition at the start of the week. Kotsay has been slow to come around, and it appears he still may not play for a few more days. He probably won't be in the lineup when the A's begin a three-game weekend series against Detroit on Friday.

Rich Harden, oak

Harden's valuable right arm was a bit cranky after he threw 111 pitches in only 5.1 innings Sunday in Arlington. After his side session on Wednesday, Harden was cleared to start for Oakland Friday against visiting Detroit.

Brad Halsey, oak

Halsey notched the win in Thursday afternoon's 6-0 victory over the Chicago Cubs, allowing just four hits in six shutout innings, striking out two and walking one. The Diamondbacks' lefthander evened his season record at 7-7 and lowered his ERA to 3.81, improving the mark for the fourth consecutive game.

7/26/2005

Eric Chavez, oak

Chavez went 3-for-3 with a pair of homers and four RBI before leaving in the fifth inning of the A's 13-4 rout of the Indians Monday. He has hit six round trippers and driven in 14 runs in his last 14 games.

Barry Zito, oak

Zito racked up his sixth straight win with a 13-4 cakewalk over the Cleveland Indians Monday. Since June 22, Zito is 6-0 with a 1.61 ERA, allowing only 30 hits in 50.1 innings.

Chad Gaudin, oak

Gaudin was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse to clear room for the return of Corey Koskie to the Blue Jays' active roster. In five appearances, Gaudin was stung for 31 hits, including six home runs, in 13 innings, resulting in a hefty 13.15 ERA. He posted a 1-3 record, striking out 12 while walking six.

Dan Johnson, oak

Johnson went 3-for-3, with two walks and two RBI, in the A's 13-4 romp over the Indians Monday, raising his average to .301. In 46 games, he has 11 doubles, six home runs and 24 RBI while slugging .490 with a .385 on-base percentage.

7/24/2005

Milton Bradley, oak

The Dodgers activated Bradley from the disabled list on Saturday, and he collected a single, double and walk in four plate appearances against the Mets in his first game since May 29. The outfielder went on the DL on May 30 with a torn ligament in his right ring finger. One the season, Bradley is batting .304 with 10 homers and 26 RBI in 36 games.

7/22/2005

Frank Thomas, oak

On Friday, the Chicago White Sox placed Thomas on the 15-day disabled list with inflammation in his left foot. The move, which was retroactive to Thursday, gives Thomas ample time to reduce the discomfort that has been a frequent byproduct of his 2004 surgery. The White Sox' designated hitter is batting just .219, though with 12 home runs and 26 RBI in just 34 games.

7/20/2005

Milton Bradley, oak

Bradley will continue to work on his timing during a minor league rehab assignment with Triple-A Las Vegas over the next couple of days, and barring any setbacks, the outfielder hopes to be activated from the 15-day disabled list in time to join the Dodgers for their weekend series against the New York Mets. He has been sidelined since late May with a slight ligament tear in his right ring finger.

Rich Harden, oak

After carrying a perfect game into the eighth inning and completing a two-hit shutout over Texas last week, Harden came within one out of another complete game on Tuesday. The 23-year-old righthander allowed just four hits and a run in Oakland's 3-1 victory over the American League West-leading Angels.

7/15/2005

Milton Bradley, oak

Bradley is scheduled to begin a minor league rehab assignment with Triple-A Las Vegas on Friday. The outfielder, who has been sidelined since late May with a slight ligament tear in his right ring finger, could return to the Dodgers' outfield as early as next week, barring any setbacks.

Randy Keisler, oak

On Friday, the Cincinnati Reds placed Ryan Wagner on the 15-day disabled list with shoulder discomfort and activated Keisler from the DL to take Wagner's roster spot. The 29-year-old Keisler, a lefthander, has been out with inflammation in his pitching elbow. He returns with a 2-0 record and 5.49 ERA in eight relief appearances for the Reds.

Rich Harden, oak

Harden carried a perfect game into the eighth inning Thursday night, before settling for a masterful two-hitter in the Oakland Athletics' 6-0 victory over the Texas Rangers. Harden has proven he's the ace of the A's staff. Since returning from a six-week layoff for an oblique strain, he has gone 4-1 with a 1.45 ERA and 0.73 WHIP. For the season, he is 6-4 (2.23 ERA).

Chad Gaudin, oak

The Toronto Blue Jays recalled Gaudin for the start of the second half. The 22-year-old prospect will pitch out of the Jays' bullpen. In an earlier stint with Toronto this season, Gaudin worked three starts, going 1-2 with a 12.19 ERA. The Jays designated righthander Justin Miller for assignment to make room for Gaudin.

Ron Flores, oak

Roughly a month after he was recalled for the first time, Flores was optioned back to Triple-A Sacramento Thursday, in order to make room for trade acquisitions Joe Kennedy and Jay Witasick. The 25-year-old Flores made four relief appearances, working 3.1 scoreless innings and allowing just one hit while fanning two.

7/14/2005

Jay Witasick, oak

On Wednesday, the Colorado Rockies traded Witasick and lefthander Joe Kennedy to the Oakland Athletics for outfielder Eric Byrnes and shortstop prospect Omar Quintanilla. Witasick had been impressive working out of the Rockies' bullpen, going 0-4 but posting a 2.52 ERA, a 1.09 WHIP and 40 strikeouts in 35.2 innings.

Joe Kennedy, oak

On Wednesday, the Colorado Rockies traded Kennedy and reliever Jay Witasick to the Oakland Athletics for outfielder Eric Byrnes and shortstop prospect Omar Quintanilla. Kennedy, who was headed for the Rockies' bullpen after a poor first half in the rotation, departs with a 4-8 record and 7.04 ERA in 16 starts this season.

7/13/2005

Jay Payton, oak

On Wednesday, the Boston Red Sox completed a trade that has been rumored for nearly a week, sending Payton and cash to the Oakland Athletics for reliever Chad Bradford. The veteran outfielder hit .263 with five homers and 21 RBI in 133 at-bats for Boston. The trade comes less than a week after Payton got into a shouting match with Boston manager Terry Francona and was designated for assignment.

7/12/2005

Joe Kennedy, oak

The Colorado Rockies have decided to shift Kennedy to the bullpen when they resume play after the All-Star break. The lefthander was the team's Opening Day starter this season, but he has struggled most of the year, posting a 4-8 record and 7.04 ERA in 16 outings.

7/11/2005

Huston Street, oak

Street blew his fourth save of the of the 2005 campaign, but remained on the mound and notched the win in Sunday's extra-inning victory over the Chicago White Sox. The A's closer worked a career-high 3.1 innings, allowing two runs on four hits, including a leadoff homer in the ninth by first baseman Paul Konerko -- the first home run Street has allowed all season. He struck out three and walked none.

7/9/2005

Mark Kotsay, oak

On Saturday, Kotsay agreed to a three-year contract extension with Oakland which will locks the outfielder up through the 2008 season. The deal supercedes the final year of his current deal, which was to expire after the 2006 season.

7/8/2005

Jay Payton, oak

Word from the Providence Journal is that Payton will be traded to the Oakland Athletics in return for reliever Chad Bradford, a deal that is to be consummated after the All-Star break, when Bradford is activated from the disabled list.

7/7/2005

Frank Thomas, oak

With his recent five-game hitting streak, Thomas has improved his season batting average by 30 points. Over that span, the White Sox' slugger is 6-for-17 (.353) with a double, three home runs, eight RBI and four walks.

Jay Payton, oak

Payton has been designated for assignment by the Boston Red Sox. Adam Stern, who was activated from the 60-day disabled list on Thursday, will take over as the team's fourth outfielder now that Payton is no longer in the mix. In 55 games this season, Payton has batted .263 with five home runs and 21 RBI.

Milton Bradley, oak

According to Dodgers manager Jim Tracy, Bradley felt no discomfort in his troublesome finger after facing about 45 soft-toss pitches on Thursday. The outfielder, who has been sidelined since late May with a slight ligament tear in his right ring finger, faced about 25 pitches righthanded and the rest lefthanded. If Bradley continues to show progress, he could be back in action within the next couple of weeks.

Antonio Perez, oak

With Jeff Kent unavailable because of a hamstring injury, Perez got the starting nod at second base for Wednesday's matchup with the Colorado Rockies. The infielder took advantage of the opportunity -- and the thin air in Denver -- to go 3-for-5 with a home run and two runs scored. Perez finished the contest with a career-high five RBI.

7/6/2005

Esteban Loaiza, oak

Loaiza turned in one of his best performances of the 2005 campaign, going eight-plus solid innings in Tuesday's 3-2 victory over Pedro Martinez and the New York Mets. The Nationals' righthander allowed just one run on six hits, struck out eight batters and walked one to even his season record at 5-5.

Milton Bradley, oak

Bradley's finger was too sore to do any work on Tuesday, one day after taking a few dry swings. The Dodgers' outfielder, who has been sidelined since late May with a slight ligament tear in his right ring finger, does not appear to be any closer to a return to the lineup. He will continue to receive treatment and be evaluated on a daily basis.

6/28/2005

Milton Bradley, oak

Bradley took about 25 swings of soft toss on Sunday, but due to some discomfort in his finger, he cut the session short. According to the Dodgers, the move was precautionary, and the outfielder will not require any more tests on his hand at this point. Bradley has been sidelined for nearly a month with a slight ligament tear in his right ring finger.

6/27/2005

Randy Keisler, oak

Keisler has been placed on the 15-day disabled list by the Cincinnati Reds, retroactive to June 20. The lefthander, who is battling inflammation in his pitching elbow, will be replaced in the bullpen by fellow southpaw Brian Shackelford. In eight relief appearances this season, Keisler is 2-0 with a 5.49 ERA.

Nick Swisher, oak

Swisher hit two-run homers in consecutive innings Sunday, driving in four runs with a 3-for-5 performance in Oakland's 16-0 romp over the San Francisco Giants. He drilled a three-run shot in Saturday's 6-3 victory.

6/24/2005

Kirk Saarloos, oak

On Thursday, Saarloos pitched a four-hit shutout against the Seattle Mariners, leading Oakland to a 5-0 victory. The outing marked the second shutout of the 26-year-old righthander's career. His first came in July 2002, when he blanked Pittsburgh on six hits as a rookie with the Houston Astros. His two shutouts are the only complete games he has posted in 39 career starts.

6/23/2005

Huston Street, oak

Following his slight hamstring strain on Saturday, Street threw a pain-free side session on Wednesday. The Oakland closer will work another side session on Friday. If all goes well, Street could be back as soon as Saturday against the San Francisco Giants.

6/22/2005

Rich Harden, oak

After being activated from the 15-day disabled list earlier in the day, Harden returned to the mound for the Oakland A's in Tuesday night's meeting with the Seattle Mariners. The 23-year-old righthander, who had missed nearly five weeks with a strained left oblique muscle, notched the win by allowing just one run on two hits in five solid innings of work. He struck out three and walked one.

Jairo Garcia, oak

Garcia's stay in Oakland was a brief one, as he has been optioned back to Triple-A Sacramento to open a spot on the 25-man roster for fellow righthander Rich Harden. The 22-year-old Garcia, who was recalled late last week, appeared in just one game with the A's, allowing one hit in a scoreless inning of work.

6/21/2005

Milton Bradley, oak

An MRI has revealed that the torn ligament in Bradley's right ring finger is healing, but the Dodgers' outfielder won't be allowed to take part in any baseball activities for at least another five days, according to manager Jim Tracy. Bradley received a cortisone injection to assist in the healing process, and a timetable for his return has yet to be set.

Rich Harden, oak

On three days' rest following an impressive rehab start Friday, Harden will return to the Oakland rotation and face the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday at Safeco Field. The Athletics will get their best starter back after a five-week layoff for an oblique strain. He is 2-3 with a 2.80 ERA in seven starts for the A's.

Huston Street, oak

Both Oakland trainer Larry Davis and manager Ken Macha said that Street was doing better on Monday, after incurring a slight hamstring strain on Saturday. While the A's closer is expected to miss the rest of the four-game series against Seattle this week, Macha is hopeful that he will be available for this weekend's interleague series against the San Francisco Giants.

6/20/2005

Justin Duchscherer, oak

With Huston Street sidelined temporarily with a hamstring injury, Duchscherer stepped up and picked up saves in Oakland victories over Philadelphia on Saturday and Sunday. The 27-year-old righthander picked up a win in his outing prior to his two save chances over the weekend, and he's allowed just two hits and fanned five without giving up a run in his last 4.2 innings of work.

Rich Harden, oak

It's likely that Harden will return to the Oakland Athletics this week. Reportedly the A's brass is considering a return against Seattle on Tuesday, on three days' rest following his impressive rehab start Friday. That would allow the A's to skip struggling starter Ryan Glynn. Or the A's could give Harden one more start at Triple-A Sacramento and set him up to return on Sunday against San Diego.

Huston Street, oak

After tweaking his left hamstring before Oakland's Saturday contest against Philadelphia, Street missed the rest of the A's-Phils series. Justin Duchscherer picked up saves on both Saturday and Sunday in place of Street.

6/19/2005

Esteban Loaiza, oak

Loaiza will miss his start on Sunday versus the Rangers. The Nationals' righthander is sidelined with neck soreness and will be evaluated on a day-to-day basis. Sun Woo Kim will get the start in his place.

6/18/2005

Tim Harikkala, oak

Harikkala was designated for assignment by the Oakland A's on Friday. The reliever had posted a 6.39 ERA in eight games this season.

Milton Bradley, oak

Because Bradley's injured finger hasn't improved, the Dodgers are scheduling more tests for their center fielder. Bradley will be examined by hand specialist Dr. Norman Zemel in Los Angeles on Monday.

Rich Harden, oak

Harden was very sharp in his first rehab assignment at Triple-A Sacramento, allowing just one hit while striking out seven in three innings. The pitcher has been sidelined since May 13 with a strained oblique muscle.

Jairo Garcia, oak

Garcia has been recalled from Triple-A Sacramento by the Oakland A's. Garcia, who threw a scoreless inning against the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday, was 1-4 with a 3.28 ERA and six saves with Sacramento. He began this season with Double-A Midland.

Huston Street, oak

Street was not available for Saturday's game against the Philadelphia Phillies after the reliever tweaked his hamstring before the contest.

Ron Flores, oak

Flores was recalled from Triple-A Sacramento by the Oakland A's on Friday. The lefthander was 3-2 with a 3.28 ERA and two saves in 31 games with Sacramento this season. He pitched a scoreless inning against the Phillies on Friday night.

6/17/2005

Milton Bradley, oak

Bradley is eligible to come off the disabled list, but the Dodgers' outfielder still isn't swinging the bat at baseballs. Los Angeles manager Jim Tracy said Bradley is still days away from taking cuts in a batting cage, so don't look for a quick return from his slight ligament tear in his right ring finger. In 48 games this season, Bradley is batting .298 with 10 home runs, 26 RBI and five stolen bases.

6/16/2005

Rich Harden, oak

Harden will make a rehab start Friday for Triple-A Sacramento against Colorado Springs. The Oakland righthander, on the disabled list since May 14 with a strained left oblique, reported no complications a day after throwing 48 pitches in a simulated game. Macha said Harden will throw 60 pitches Friday, and the team will re-evaluate his next step after that.

Chad Gaudin, oak

On Wednesday, the Toronto Blue Jays optioned Gaudin to Triple-A Syracuse to make room for Gabe Gross on the 25-man roster. Gross, an outfielder, is needed because starting center fielder Vernon Wells will leave the team this weekend for the birth of his second child. Gaudin departs with a 1-2 record and 12.19 ERA in three starts since his promotion to Toronto at the end of May.

6/15/2005

Keith Ginter, oak

The Oakland Athletics recalled Ginter from Triple-A Sacramento on Tuesday, and the utilityman started at third base in Oakland's 5-0 win over the Mets Tuesday night. He went 1-for-4 with an RBI playing in place of Eric Chavez, who has been battling a sore shoulder and started at the DH spot against the Mets.

Matt Watson, oak

On Tuesday, the Oakland Athletics optioned Watson back to Triple-A Sacramento. In two stints with the A's this spring, the 26-year-old outfielder has batted .152 (5-for-33) with three runs scored and three ribbies. Tuesday's move was made to make room for Keith Ginter on the A's roster.

Joe Blanton, oak

After enduring four rough outings during the latter half of May, Blanton has rebounded in June. On Tuesday night, Oakland's rookie righthander turned in his best major league outing, limiting the Mets to three hits without a walk over seven innings in the A's 5-0 win over New York.

6/14/2005

Frank Thomas, oak

Returning to Chicago to host National League clubs this week meant the DH was in use and Thomas was back in the White Sox' lineup. At least for one game. In Monday night's 8-1 loss to Arizona, Thomas homered in the fourth inning, then limped off the field with a cramp in the back of his left leg after singling in the sixth.

6/12/2005

Bobby Crosby, oak

The tough times continue for Crosby, the 2004 AL Rookie of the Year. The Oakland shortstop was held out of Saturday's loss to the Braves due to lingering tightness and soreness in his right quad. He also will miss Sunday's contest. Crosby has been bothered by the quad since returning from the DL on May 30. He missed the first two months of the season after suffering a stress fracture in two ribs on Opening Day, and has played in just 12 of the A's 61 games this season.

6/9/2005

Matt Watson, oak

The Oakland Athletics recalled Watson again on Thursday, summoning him from Triple-A Sacramento to serve as a backup outfielder. The A's optioned outfielder Charles Thomas to Sacramento to make room for Watson. Watson was batting .344 with eight homers, 32 RBI and a .421 on-base percentage for the A's Triple-A affiliate.

Charles Thomas, oak

The Oakland Athletics recalled outfielder Matt Watson Thursday and optioned Thomas to Triple-A Sacramento. The 26-year-old Thomas, a lefthanded outfielder, had spent the entire 2005 campaign with the A's, batting .109 (5-for-46) in 30 games.

6/8/2005

Mark Kotsay, oak

After missing both games over the weekend with a bad back, Kotsay was back in Oakland's lineup Tuesday, going 0-for-5 in the A's 2-1 loss to Washington. Oakland's center fielder and leadoff man has a .284 average and .342 on-base percentage in 54 games this season.

Randy Keisler, oak

Keisler turned in the best overall performance of his major league career in Tuesday's meeting with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. After taking over for struggling starter Ramon Ortiz in the second inning, the 29-year-old lefthander pitched a solid 6.1 innings, allowing just one run on two hits to pick up the win. He struck out eight and did not walk a batter.

Rich Harden, oak

Harden threw 15 pitches off a mound on Tuesday without problems, and the Oakland righthander will work a few side sessions and a simulated game in Oakland in the next week or so. After that, Harden would go on a minor league rehab assignment. The tentative target for a return to the A's is a series in Seattle, which begins on June 20.

6/7/2005

Mark Kotsay, oak

Kotsay's ailing back improved enough that he made Oakland's cross-country team flight to Washington, where the A's will take on the Nationals Tuesday. The A's center fielder will not be able to DH in the National League park, so he'll have to be playing in the field to be in Oakland's lineup.

6/6/2005

Frank Thomas, oak

While Thomas has recovered from that mild hip flexor strain, the White Sox' DH may not have a place to play this week. Thomas himself says he doesn't have the range to play the field, so he probably is on the bench and available for pinch-hitting duty only, when the White Sox open an interleague series in Colorado on Monday. The team moves on to San Diego for another DH-free series this weekend.

Mark Kotsay, oak

Kotsay missed his second straight game with a stiff back on Sunday. Unless he feels markedly better when he gets out of bed on Monday, the Oakland center fielder will not accompany the A's on their cross-country flight to face the Washington Nationals, beginning on Tuesday. Not only would the flight be a detriment to his back, Kotsay would not be able to DH with those games being played in a National League park.

Jermaine Clark, oak

Clark, who had two stints with the Oakland A's this season, is on the DL at Triple-A Sacramento with a broken bone in his right hand. The utilityman had appeared in four games for Oakland, walking in his only plate appearance and scoring two runs.

Kirk Saarloos, oak

Oakland's off day on Monday allows the A's to push Saarloos back from his Wednesday start against Washington. The rest of Oakland's starters will get four days of rest and Saarloos will take his next turn on Saturday in Atlanta.

Rich Harden, oak

Harden, who is on the disabled list with an oblique strain, threw 20 pitches off the front slope of the mound before Oakland's Sunday game against Toronto. He is slated to move up the slope for a throwing sesion on Tuesday, when the A's begin a three-game set in Washington against the Nationals.

Rich Harden, oak

Harden, who is on the disabled list with an oblique strain, threw 20 pitches off the front slope of the mound before Oakland's Sunday game against Toronto. He is slated to move up the slope for a throwing session on Tuesday, when the A's begin a three-game set in Washington against the Nationals.

6/5/2005

Mark Kotsay, oak

Due to tightness in his back, Kotsay was held out of Saturday's game against the Toronto Blue Jays, as a precautionary measure. The outfielder, who is batting .290 with two home runs, 26 RBI and one stolen base in 53 games this season, has been listed as day-to-day. Eric Byrnes got the starting nod in center in Kotsay's absence.

Milton Bradley, oak

As feared, Bradley will be forced to spend some time on the 15-day disabled list, due to a slight ligament tear in his right ring finger. The Dodgers' outfielder, who suffered the injury while batting in the ninth inning of Sunday's win over the Arizona Diamondbacks, will be replaced on the Dodgers' 25-man roster by Jason Repko. He will split time in the outfield with Ricky Ledee during Bradley's absence.

Kiko Calero, oak

Calero has been activated from the 15-day disabled list by the Oakland A's after missing nearly a month with tendinitis in his pitching elbow. The righthander, who takes the roster spot of the demoted Seth Etherton, was 2-0 with an 8.68 ERA and one save in 10 relief appearances. He had 12 strikeouts and four walks in 9.1 innings of work.

6/2/2005

Juan Gonzalez, oak

After Gonzalez reinjured his hamstring in his 2005 debut on Tuesday, the Cleveland Indians officially placed him on the 15-day disabled list before Thursday's afternoon game against Minnesota. The Indians activated Coco Crisp from the DL to take Gonzalez' spot on the 25-man roster.

6/1/2005

Juan Gonzalez, oak

In his first game back from a hamstring ailment that has sidelined him all season, Gonzalez aggravated the injury and came out of Cleveland's 4-3 win over Minnesota Tuesday after running out a grounder in the first inning. That was his first major league at-bat since May 21, 2004. He missed most of the 2004 season with back problems.

Milton Bradley, oak

Bradley will have his hand in a brace and will be unavailable for at least the next three days after an MRI revealed a slight ligament tear in his right ring finger. The Dodgers' outfielder, who suffered the injury while batting in the ninth inning of Sunday's win over the Arizona Diamondbacks, will be re-evaluated on Friday to determine his status. Ricky Ledee is expected to fill in during his absence.

Kiko Calero, oak

Recovering from a bout of elbow tendinitis, Calero is expected to make a rehab appearance for Triple-A Sacramento on Wednesday. If all goes well, he should pitch again for Sacramento on Friday and be available to return to Oakland as soon as Saturday.

Rich Harden, oak

Harden, who has been out since May 13 with a strained oblique muscle, could begin throwing from the mound by next week. The Oakland righthander continues to long toss in preparation for a stepped-up throwing program. A timetable for Harden isn't in place, and his progress has slowed over the last week.

Brad Halsey, oak

Halsey posted his fourth win of the 2005 campaign, scattering six hits over seven shutout innings in Tuesday's 7-0 victory over the New York Mets. The Diamondbacks' lefthander struck out six batters and walked one. In his previous four outings, Halsey had allowed 19 runs in 24.1 innings of work, but only 10 of those were earned.

5/31/2005

Juan Gonzalez, oak

Gonzalez, sidelined all season with a strained hamstring, was activated from the 15-day disabled list on Tuesday by the Cleveland Indians. To make room for the 35-year-old veteran, the Indians designated Ryan Ludwick for assignment.

Frank Thomas, oak

Thomas is considered day-to-day with a mild tweak of the hip flexor. White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said his designated hitter likely would sit out Tuesday's game against the Angels. Thomas said he would be ready to play again in a few days.

Keith Ginter, oak

Ginter, a productive part-time player with impressive power for Milwaukee in 2003 and 2004, has struggled in his first season with the Oakland Athletics this spring. On Monday, the A's optioned him to Triple-A Sacramento to make room for the return of starting shortstop Bobby Crosby. Ginter departs after batting .169 with three homers and 18 RBI in 98 plate appearances.

Marco Scutaro, oak

Scutaro lost a starting job on Monday, when shortstop Bobby Crosby came off the disabled list, but he kept a major league address. The 29-year-old Scutaro seemed like the odd man out with Crosby returning from an Opening Day injury, but he is more veratile than Keith Ginter, who also has struggled mightily this spring after being acquired from Milwaukee during the offseason. On Monday, Ginter was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento to make room for Crosby.

Bobby Crosby, oak

On Monday, the Oakland Athletics activated Crosby from the disabled list. The A's starting shortstop has been out since Opening Day, when he suffered a stress fracture of two ribs. Oakland optioned struggling infielder Keith Ginter to Triple-A Sacramento to make room for Crosby.

5/30/2005

Frank Thomas, oak

In the White Sox' 5-4 win over the Angels Monday, Thomas made his first appearance since breaking a bone in his left ankle last July, but was forced to leave because of a strained hip flexor. Before departing, Thomas went 0-for-2 with a walk, batting third as the designated hitter.

Milton Bradley, oak

According to Dodgers manager Jim Tracy, Bradley could miss some time over the next several days after spraining his right ring finger while batting in the ninth inning of Sunday's win over the Arizona Diamondbacks. The outfielder underwent precautionary X-rays after the game, and all tests were negative. He has been listed as day-to-day.

Chad Gaudin, oak

The Toronto Blue Jays recalled Chad Gaudin from Triple-A Syracuse on Sunday. The 22-year-old righthander, acquired from Tampa Bay in a December trade, was 3-2 with a 2.48 ERA in 10 starts at Syracuse. He is expected to replace David Bush in the Jays' rotation.

5/29/2005

Juan Gonzalez, oak

Word from Cleveland is that Gonzalez could return to the active roster this week, perhaps as soon as Tuesday.

Frank Thomas, oak

Thomas will be activated from the disabled list for Monday's game against the Los Angeles Angels, and is expected to be in the lineup for the first tme since July 6, 2004.

5/27/2005

Dan Johnson, oak

With Erubiel Durazo going on the disabled list with elbow tendinitis, Johnson has been recalled by Oakland for the first time. The 25-year-old first-base prospect was batting .324 with 17 doubles, eight homers and 41 RBI in 47 games at Triple-A Sacramento. He also has drawn 32 walks, good for a .424 OBP.

5/26/2005

Frank Thomas, oak

Despite batting .207 and slugging .241 in his first eight games at Triple-A Charlotte, Thomas called the White Sox and lobbied to come off the disabled list. He pleaded his case with the man who has never set a timetable for his return: White Sox trainer Herm Schneider.

Kiko Calero, oak

Calero, recovering from a bout of elbow tendinitis, will throw off a mound on Thursday. The Oakland reliever has been on the disabled list since May 10. He is 2-0 with a save and an 8.68 ERA in 10 appearances with the A's this season.

Bobby Crosby, oak

Crosby, who put his minor league rehab assignment on hold earlier this week after his father was hospitalized, will resume his rehab assignment by Friday. His father is doing better, and the younger Crosby will continue his preparation for a return to Oakland. He is expected to rejoin the A's next week after suffering a stress fracture of two ribs on Opening Day.

5/25/2005

Jermaine Clark, oak

Needing a roster spot for reliever Britt Reames, whose contract was purchased on Wednesday, the Oakland A's have designated Clark for assignment. In two stints with the A's this season, the outfielder/second baseman has appeared in just four games, going 0-for-2 with a walk.

Justin Duchscherer, oak

For the first time since May 9, Duchscherer was available to pitch out of Oakland's bullpen on Tuesday. The 27-year-old righthander has been rehabbing a back ailment that lingered longer than anticipated.

Rich Harden, oak

Harden played light catch on Tuesday, the first time he has thrown since leaving a game on May 13 with an oblique strain. The Oakland righthander is ahead of Tim Hudson's recovery rate from a similar injury that kept Hudson out for six weeks last season, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. Harden went on the 15-day disabled list on May 15.

Bobby Crosby, oak

Crosby had begun a minor league rehab assignment and was on course to return to the Athletics, possibly as soon as Monday, May 30. The A's shortstop has put his rehab assignment at high Class-A Stockton on hold, however, after his father, former A's scout Ed Crosby, was hospitalized. This may push back Crosby's return to Oakland at least a few days. He hasn't played since Opening Day, when he suffered a stress fracture of two ribs.

Matt Watson, oak

Watson has been optioned back to Triple-A Sacramento by the Oakland A's, opening a spot on the roster for fellow outfielder Nick Swisher, who was activated from the 15-day disabled list on Wednesday. In eight games with the A's this season, Watson is 4-for-21 with a double and three RBI.

Nick Swisher, oak

With Swisher playing at Triple-A Sacramento on a minor league rehab assignment, the A's rookie right fielder could rejoin the major league club this weekend in Cleveland. He injured his shoulder on May 1, crashing into an outfield wall in pursuit of a flyball, and he was expected to miss 3-6 weeks.

Nick Swisher, oak

Swisher has been activated from the 15-day disabled list by the Oakland A's. The outfielder, who has been sidelined since spraining his right shoulder on May 1 when he crashed into an outfield wall in pursuit of a flyball, takes the roster spot of the demoted Matt Watson.

5/23/2005

Randy Keisler, oak

Filling the roster spot of closer Danny Graves, the Cincinnati Reds have purchased Keisler's contract from Triple-A Louisville. The 29-year-old lefthander is 3-2 with a 2.98 ERA and one save in nine appearances with the minor league club this season, including seven starts.

Justin Duchscherer, oak

While his return was anticipated this weekend, Duchscherer wasn't ready to pitch in the Oakland bullpen this weekend. He's still rehabbing a back ailment that has kept him out of action since May 9. The 27-year-old reliever, who is 2-0 with a 1.33 ERA in 15 appearances this season, could be ready for game action on Tuesday. He threw 34 pitches in a bullpen session on Sunday, and if he feels good Monday, he's probably a go when the A's play at Tampa Bay on Tuesday.

Justin Duchscherer, oak

While his return was anticipated this weekend, Duchscherer wasn't ready to pitch in the Oakland bullpen this weekend. He's still rehabbing a back ailment that has kept him out of action since May 9. The 27-year-old reliever, who is 2-0 with a 1.33 ERA in 15 appearances this season, threw 34 pitches in a bullpen session on Sunday. If he feels good Monday, he's probably available when the A's play at Tampa Bay on Tuesday.

Justin Duchscherer, oak

While his return was anticipated last weekend, Duchscherer wasn't ready to pitch in the Oakland bullpen this weekend. He's still rehabbing a back ailment that has kept him out of action since May 9. The 27-year-old reliever, who is 2-0 with a 1.33 ERA in 15 appearances this season, threw 34 pitches in a bullpen session on Sunday. If he feels good Monday, he's probably available when the A's play at Tampa Bay on Tuesday.

Huston Street, oak

With Oakland closer Octavio Dotel out with a sore right elbow, and Justin Duchscherer still not available because of a back ailment, Street was the A's ninth-inning option over the weekend against San Francisco. The 21-year-old rookie cruised through a quiet ninth inning for an A's win in a non-save situation Friday, but he didn't work Oakland losses on Saturday and Sunday.

5/20/2005

Jermaine Clark, oak

Clark spent the first two weeks of May with the Oakland Athletics, and he returns after the A's placed closer Octavio Dotel on the 15-day disabled list on Friday. The utilityman, who mostly has played second base and the outfield as a major leaguer, drew a walk in his only plate appearance with Oakland. With Triple-A Sacramento, Clark was hitting .258 with two home runs and 15 RBI in 25 games.

5/19/2005

Esteban Loaiza, oak

Loaiza scattered six hits and held the Brewers' scoreless through eight innings, but did not figure into the decision in the Nationals' 1-0 victory on Wednesday. The righthander, who struck out five and walked none, has allowed just eight runs over his last 36.2 innings of work (five games), but has just one win to show for it.

Justin Duchscherer, oak

Out since May 9 with back pain, Duchscherer may be available in Oakland's bullpen Friday, when the A's take on San Francisco in the first round of interleague play. If the 27-year-old righthander is able to pitch, he could quickly join the ninth-inning scenario with Octavio Dotel nursing a sore right elbow. Duchscherer and Huston Street are the likely candidates for ninth-inning duty this weekend.

Nick Swisher, oak

Swisher is expected to start a minor league rehab assignment on Thursday, and the Oakland right fielder may rejoin the A's early next week. He was expected to miss 3-6 weeks with a shoulder injury, and is in line to return barely more than three weeks after he was injured at the start of May. Swisher is batting .218 with three doubles, three homers and eight RBI in 22 games this season. He has fanned 23 times in 78 at-bats.

Huston Street, oak

With Octavio Dotel nursing a sore right elbow, Street was in line for Oakland's save opportunity on Wednesday if the A's would have had a late lead. That may be the situation this weekend, as well, when the A's meet San Francisco in an interleague matchup of the Bay Area rivals.

5/18/2005

Juan Gonzalez, oak

Gonzalez finally is playing in extended spring training games in the Cleveland camp, and he will test his hamstrings by playing all nine innings in the outfield on Thursday. If the 35-year-old veteran holds up well, he should start a minor league rehab assignment with Triple-A Buffalo in the near future.

That rehab assignment at Buffalo could go as long as 20 days, but it could be much briefer if Gonzalez proves to be healthy. The Indians' lineup could use some additional punch. He has yet to play in a major league game this season.

Antonio Perez, oak

Perez has been activated from the 15-day disabled list by the Los Angeles Dodgers, filling the roster spot of ailing outfielder Jason Grabowski. The reserve infielder, who has been sidelined for more than five weeks with a strained left hamstring, has appeared in just two games this season, going 2-for-5 with a stolen base.

5/17/2005

Steve Karsay, oak

On Monday, a day after signing a minor league deal with the Texas Rangers, Karsay threw on the side for Rangers pitching coach Orel Hershiser in Chicago. The 33-year-old righthander will begin pitching for Double-A Frisco and could join Texas in a few weeks. Karsay said he's pretty much back in terms of arm strength, but he has some mechanical issues that are mostly a byproduct of not pitching for so long.

Karsay has pitched only 12.2 innings in the majors since surgery for a partially torn right rotator cuff in May 2003. Reportedly the Cubs, Cardinals and Giants all pursued Karsay before he signed with Texas on Sunday.

Bobby Kielty, oak

A CT scan of Kielty's ribcage injury verified that there are no broken bones. The Oakland outfielder underwent sound-wave treatment on Monday and reported feeling much better later in the day. Kielty has been bothered by the injury for a little more than a week, and he had to leave Sunday's game against the Yankees because of the discomfort.

The more recent news suggests that Kielty may avoid the disabled list. Consider the outfielder day-to-day.

Justin Duchscherer, oak

Out with back pain since May 9, Duchscherer will receive an epidural today and be out until at least Friday. The Oakland reliever missed four days last year after similar treatment.

The A's could use Duchscherer. The 27-year-old righthander is 2-0 with a 1.33 ERA in 15 relief appearances.

Antonio Perez, oak

Perez is scheduled to play in one more game with Triple-A Las Vegas as part of his minor league rehab assignment before rejoining the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday. The reserve infielder, who has been sidelined for more than five weeks with a strained left hamstring, has appeared in just two games this season, going 2-for-5 with a stolen base.

Perez will resume his duties as a backup, meaning his fantasy value is limited. The Dodgers have not indicated who will be demoted or placed on the DL to open a roster spot.

5/16/2005

Frank Thomas, oak

On Tuesday, Thomas will begin a minor league rehab assignment with the White Sox' Triple-A Charlotte affiliate. He will join the club in Ottawa, where the Charlotte Knights are facing the Ottawa Lynx, Baltimore's top affiliate.

Thomas admits he has a ways to go. He will face game pitching for the first time, as well as running in game situations. Sox trainer Herm Schneider still hasn't put a timetable on Thomas, and how the Sox' slugger handles the various facets of game action will determine how brief or lengthy his minor league assignment will be.

Steve Karsay, oak

Karsay signed a minor league deal with the Texas Rangers on Sunday, three days after the New York Yankees released the 33-year-old righthander. Despite a 6.00 ERA in six appearances with New York this season, Karsay provides some hope for a Rangers bullpen that has endured Tommy John surgery for Frank Francisco and faces it for Carlos Almanzar and Ryan Bukvich.

If Karsay heads for Triple-A Oklahoma, his stay there could be brief. The injury-riddled Texas bullpen has posted a 5.56 ERA that is the worst among pens in the American League. A year ago, the Rangers' relievers were a pleasant surprise in an unexpected Texas run in the American League West race.

Bobby Kielty, oak

Kielty singled in the first inning of Oakland's loss to the New York Yankees on Sunday, but had to come out of the game at the end of the inning. The Athletics' outfielder aggravated a ribcage injury that he suffered early last weekend in Boston, and the discomfort has been on the rise. X-rays didn't reveal a more serious injury, but Kielty will undergo a CT scan on Monday.

Justin Duchscherer, oak

Duchscherer hasn't pitched out of the Oakland bullpen since May 9 because he has been battling back spasms in recent days. The 27-year-old righthander improved over the weekend, but he remains day-to-day.

Duschscherer has been solid this season, going 2-0 with a 1.33 ERA in 15 relief appearances. He's 17 hits and three walks while fanning 18 in 20.1 innings.

Rich Harden, oak

The Oakland Athletics placed Harden on the 15-day disabled list Sunday, two days after he strained an oblique muscle in a Friday night loss to the New York Yankees. The 23-year-old righthander will undergo an MRI exam on Monday. Harden, who went just 3.1 innings on Friday, is 2-3 with a 2.80 ERA in seven starts this season.

The A's recalled righthander Seth Etherton to take Harden's roster spot. However, righthander Keiichi Yabu will come out of the A's bullpen to take Harden's rotation assignment this week.

Bobby Crosby, oak

Over the weekend, Crosby took batting practice for the first time since he suffered a stress fracture of two ribs on Opening Day. Afterwards, he reported no pain in his ribcage while taking his cuts. The Oakland shortstop, who has missed six weeks of action, is expected to start a minor league rehab assignment late this week.

Nick Swisher, oak

Swisher took batting practice for the first time Sunday since injuring his shoulder two weeks ago. The Oakland outfielder was able to hit from both sides of the plate and said he was fine after his time in the cage. He is expected to start a minor league rehab assignment later this week.

Swisher was expected to miss 3-6 weeks, and it appears he may miss closer to three weeks because the separation between his shoulder and collarbone when he was injured was minimal.

5/14/2005

Jermaine Clark, oak

To make room on the roster for Matt Watson, the A's have designated Clark for assignment.

Rich Harden, oak

Harden may be headed to the 15-day disabled list after suffering a strained oblique muscle in Friday's loss to the New York Yankees. Harden, who went just 3.1 innings on Friday, is 2-3 with a 2.80 ERA this season.

If Harden is sidelined, look for Keiichi Yabu to replace him in the A's rotation.

Matt Watson, oak

Watson was scheduled to be in the starting line-up for Oakland on Saturday, just hours after the A's recalled the outfielder from Triple-A Sacramento. Watson was hitting .345 with 3 home runs and 20 RBI for Sacramento. To make room on the roster, Oakland designated Jermaine Clark for assignment.

Oakland needs offense in the worst way, as they enter Saturday last in the majors in team batting average and runs scored.

Matt Watson, oak

Watson was scheduled to be in the starting lineup for Oakland on Saturday, just hours after the A's recalled the outfielder from Triple-A Sacramento. Watson was hitting .345 with three home runs and 20 RBI for Sacramento. To make room on the roster, Oakland designated Jermaine Clark for assignment.

Oakland needs offense in the worst way, as the team began Saturday last in the majors in team batting average and runs scored.

5/13/2005

Juan Gonzalez, oak

Bothered by a lingering hamstring injury that has been slow to heal, Gonzalez finally will appear in an extended spring training game Friday as the designated hitter. The Cleveland outfielder's participation in extended spring training games has been anticipated and delayed for more than a month.

Exactly when Gonzalez will return to major league action is uncertain, in light of his slow rehab progress.

5/12/2005

Frank Thomas, oak

After a number of sessions of electric shock therapy for his rehabbing left ankle, Thomas is expressing optimism that his ankle is healthy enough to start a minor league rehab assignment next week. On Wednesday, the Sox' slugger said he is locked in at the plate and can run the bases adequately, though he ruled out playing first base early in his return.

Keep in mind this is a player talking. He's not a doctor and doesn't even play one on TV. Sox trainer Herm Schneider has never put a timetable on Thomas, and he hasn't made any recent statements about his progress. Still, a June debut for Thomas now seems to be a legitimate possibility.

Steve Karsay, oak

On Thursday, the New York Yankees released Karsay, who not long ago was one of the best setup men in the business. A string of shoulder problems have plagued the 33-year-old righthander since early 2003, roughly a year after signing a four-year, $22.5 million deal with the Yankees in December 2001.

Karsay hasn't regained his form. Since returning to action last September, he has worked in 13 games and posted a 4.26 ERA. The Yankees designated him for assignment last week, and now that he's been released, teams that want to show more patience can sign him. The Yankees are on the hook for a $5 million salary this year, and his contract contains a $6.5 million option for 2006 with a $1.25 million buyout.

5/10/2005

Tim Harikkala, oak

With Kiko Calero going on the disabled list, the Oakland Athletics recalled Harikkala from Triple-A Sacramento on Tuesday. The 33-year-old righthander was 1-2 with a 1.27 ERA and three saves for Sacramento.

Harikkala replaces Calero in the A's bullpen, though the new arrival will work earlier innings than the man he replaced. In 2004, Harikkala was 6-6 with a 4.74 ERA in 55 relief appearances for the Colorado Rockies.

Joe Kennedy, oak

Kennedy's left foot and ankle are still sore after trying to stop a grounder with his leg in his last outing. As a result, the Colorado Rockies have scratched the lefthander from his scheduled start on Wednesday, and will send Byung-Hyun Kim to the mound instead.

Kennedy is expected to be ready for his next turn in the rotation. In six starts this season, he is 1-4 with a 7.56 ERA.

Kiko Calero, oak

Calero was roughed up for four runs without retiring a batter against the Yankees on Sunday, and once again on Monday the Oakland reliever reported elbow soreness. The righthander has been battling discomfort in his throwing elbow since mid-April.

Calero has allowed a bunch of runs in two of his three appearances in May. He seems almost certain to land on the disabled list.

Kiko Calero, oak

On Tuesday, the Oakland Athletics placed Calero on the 15-day disabled list with an ailing elbow. The 30-year-old righthander tried to pitch through the discomfort, but now goes on the DL after a couple of disastrous outings in early May.

Oakland has recalled Tim Harikkala from Triple-A Sacramento to take Calero's spot in the A's bullpen. Calero is 2-0 with a save and an 8.68 ERA in 10 appearances with the A's.

5/7/2005

Joe Kennedy, oak

Kennedy was on crutches after Friday's game and is "50-50" to make his next scheduled start for Colorado. The lefthander was hit on the left ankle by a sharp grounder in the sixth inning of Friday night's game.

5/6/2005

Joe Kennedy, oak

Rockies lefthander Joe Kennedy took a sharp one-hop grounder off his left ankle in the sixth inning of Friday night's game. Kennedy limped off the mound after the play and was replaced by reliever Jay Witasik.

Look for updates on his status.

5/5/2005

Bobby Crosby, oak

Crosby participated in light fielding drills Wednesday, beginning his on-field rehab work after going down with stress fractures in two of his ribs on April 4, the day of Oakland's season opener in Baltimore. The Oakland shortstop is pain-free, and he's not far from picking up a bat in the next week. He will be allowed to swing a bat, but he won't be allowed to start hitting for a couple more weeks.

5/3/2005

Steve Karsay, oak

To make room for second-base prospect Robinson Cano on the 25-man roster, the New York Yankees designated Karsay for assignment on Monday. The 33-year-old righthander has battled back from major shoulder surgery in 2003 for a torn rotator cuff, and he departs New York with a 6.00 ERA in six relief appearances this season.

Karsay is 31-38 with a 3.89 ERA in 10 seasons. He has 40 saves in 334 career games. With the righthander in the final year of a four-year deal with the Yankees, look for him to hook on with a team in need of bullpen help after he clears waivers.

Rich Harden, oak

Harden absorbed his first loss of the 2005 season on Monday, but that didn't keep the promising Oakland righthander from posting his third quality start and first complete game of the new year. Harden went the distance and allowed just six hits, two walks and one earned run in the A's 3-2 loss to Texas. He struck out seven Rangers in the defeat.

For the season, Harden is 2-1 with a 1.82 ERA in five starts. He trails only Chicago's Jon Garland (1.38) in the American League ERA race.

Nick Swisher, oak

Swisher, placed on the 15-day disabled list Monday with an injured shoulder, will miss 3-6 weeks. There was a certain amount of separation between the shoulder and collarbone, but it was minimal and Swisher's time on the sidelines will not be as long as it might have been.

5/2/2005

Frank Thomas, oak

It appears the electric shock therapy has helped Thomas in his rehab work on his left ankle. The White Sox' designated hitter has experienced significant pain in the days after he has run, but after doing some running on consecutive days over the weekend, Thomas didn't have the degree of discomfort that has followed previously. He had begun electric shock therapy a few days ago, with the intenion of breaking up the scar tissue that has caused the pain.

This looks like a noteworthy step in Thomas' rehab. A return to the White Sox seemed very far off a week ago, but perhaps he isn't quite as far away now. Still, keep in mind that Sox trainer Herm Schneider has never put a timetable on Thomas, and he still won't. Talk of a possible May return for Thomas was something generated outside of the trainer's room.

Jermaine Clark, oak

With Nick Swisher going on the disabled list with a shoulder injury, the Oakland Athletics have recalled Clark from Triple-A Sacramento. The utilityman was batting .228 with two home runs and 12 RBI in 24 games with Sacramento. He was leading the River Cats with 18 walks and eight stolen bases, and he posted a .354 on-base percentage.

Nick Swisher, oak

The Oakland Athletics placed Swisher on the 15-day disabled list Monday with an injured right shoulder. The rookie outfielder was hurt in the third inning of Sunday's 3-2 win over Seattle, after crashing into the wall chasing Jeremy Reed's triple. Swisher sprained his AC joint, which connects the shoulder to the collarbone, and he left the game immediately.

A timetable for Swisher should be forthcoming after all of Monday's test results have been analyzed. Taking his place on the roster is utilityman Jermaine Clark, who was recalled from Triple-A Sacramento.

5/1/2005

Mark Kotsay, oak

Kotsay went 5-for-6 with a double and RBI in Saturday's win over the Seattle Mariners, matching a career high for hits in a single game. The A's outfielder had just two hits in his previous 23 at-bats going into Saturday's contest.

For the season, Kotsay is batting .323 with two home runs and 13 RBI in 24 games.

4/30/2005

Frank Thomas, oak

Frustrated by being unable to run, and still without a timetable for his return, Thomas has decided to try electric shock therapy on his left ankle. He hopes this will ease the pain in the ankle and break up the scar tissue that is keeping the slugger from being unable to run.

4/28/2005

Esteban Loaiza, oak

Loaiza turned his his best outing of the 2005 campaign, going eight strong innings against the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday. The Nationals' righthander, who allowed two runs on four hits and tied a career high with 11 strikeouts, wasn't quite good enough however, as he was outdueled by Philly's Brett Myers and took the loss.

After a disappointing 2004 campaign, split between the New York Yankees and Chicago White Sox, Loaiza inked a one-year, $2.9 million deal with Washington during the offseason. In five starts so far this season, he is 0-2 with a 4.13 ERA and has 29 strikeouts and 11 walks in 32.2 innings of work.

Jay Witasick, oak

The Colorado Rockies have purchased Witasick's contract from Triple-A Colorado Springs, replacing the struggling Scott Dohmann in the bullpen. The veteran righthander inked a minor league deal with the Rockies shortly after being released by the Baltimore Orioles three weeks ago. He spent the 2004 campaign with the San Diego Padres, going 0-1 with a 3.21 ERA and one save.

Witasick will serve as a setup man with the Rockies.

4/26/2005

Frank Thomas, oak

The cortisone shot Thomas received two weeks ago hasn't improved his ability to run. The White Sox' slugger has been sore for a few days after particpating in running drills. Team trainer Herm Schneider says Thomas isn't much further along than when he reported to the White Sox in March.

Schneider still stands by his oft-repeated statement that he has no set timetable for Thomas' return. He has refused to say when Thomas might be ready, and perhaps the notion of the designated hitter returning sometime in May is overly optimistic.

Kiko Calero, oak

Calero is expected to work a bullpen session on Tuesday, during which he may try to throw breaking stuff. The righthanded reliever has been battling discomfort in his elbow, and the A's would like to make a determination in the next few days whether to put Calero on the 15-day disabled list.

The A's reliever hasn't worked a game since April 16. He has worked seven scoreless innings, allowing just three hits and a walk while fanning nine out of the Oakland pen.

4/25/2005

Eric Chavez, oak

Chavez had a slight limp in the A's clubhouse following Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Angels after fouling a ball off his right foot during the eighth inning. The third baseman, who is in a major early season slump, said the injury is minor, and he should be in the lineup for Monday's meeting with the Chicago White Sox.

Chavez is batting just .181 with two home runs and five RBI in 19 games this season, and he's struck out 18 times in 72 at bats. He's averaged 30 homers and hit better than .275 over the past five years, so expect him to get back on track sooner rather than later.

Milton Bradley, oak

Bradley continued his torrid start to the season in Sunday's win over the Colorado Rockies, going 4-for-5 with two doubles, two runs scored and an RBI. The Dodgers' outfielder, who has hit safely in all but two of his 18 games this season, is batting .375 with five home runs, four doubles, 16 RBI and a stolen base.

It appears Bradley has found a comfort zone with the Dodgers. He hasn't really had a chance to swipe any bases, but he's averaged 16 steals over the past two seasons. Adding that to his repertoire makes him just that much more valuable as a fantasy player.

Kiko Calero, oak

Calero still is battling discomfort in his throwing elbow, and the Oakland reliever will be examined by team doctors on Monday. A trip to the disabled list seems more and more likely, as Calero hasn't been able to work a game since April 16.

It would be a shame if Calero is lost for any length of time. He has been lights out, working seven scoreless innings, allowing just three hits and a walk while fanning nine out of the A's bullpen. He's 2-0 on the season.

4/24/2005

Bobby Crosby, oak

The Athletics signed Crosby to a five-year contract Friday, worth $12.75 million. Last year's AL Rookie of the Year hit 22 home runs with 34 doubles for Oakland, but has been on the disabled list since leaving the game on Opening Day with fractured ribs.

The timing of Crosby's return to the lineup is still up in the air, but he remains a big part of Oakland's future.

4/22/2005

Kiko Calero, oak

Calero had experienced some discomfort in his throwing elbow, but the joint has been feeling better in recent days. Still, the Oakland Athletics on Friday are sending their righthanded reliever to a specialist, Dr. Lewis Yocum, so it's a bit early to write off the discomfort as simply tendinitis.

Calero threw on the side without pain on Thursday, but he was limited to fastballs only in the session. We'll see what the plan is after he visits with Dr. Yocum before the A's play the Angels in Anaheim.

Rich Harden, oak

Harden worked a scoreless start for the second straight time on Thursday, blanking the Seattle Mariners on five hits over seven innings. The outing comes on the heels of eight scoreless frames against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, and the Oakland righthander has put together 15 straight scoreless innings to lower his ERA for the season to 0.44. He's allowed just one run in three starts, and he's 2-0 with a .203 opponent batting average and 0.95 WHIP.

Harden hasn't received much run support, but so far that hasn't mattered. He looks like a big winner in 2005.

4/20/2005

Milton Bradley, oak

Bradley went 2-for-4 in Tuesday's meeting with the Milwaukee Brewers, including a game-winning home run in the top of the 10th inning. With the performance, the Dodgers' outfielder now has hit safely in 12 of 13 games this season, including seven straight. He has five home runs and nine RBI over his last five contests.

Bradley rededicated himself over the offseason and the move seems to be paying off. Because of the power surge, he hasn't really had a chance to run yet, but has averaged 16 stolen bases over the past two seasons. Adding that option as well makes Bradley a solid starter for any fantasy squad.

4/19/2005

Mark Kotsay, oak

Kotsay went 2-for-5 with three RBI in Monday's victory over the Texas Rangers to continue his torrid start to the 2005 campaign. Through 13 games, the A's outfielder is batting .270 with three doubles, one home run, five RBI and eight runs scored. He has at least one hit in 12 of 13 contests.

Kotsay is batting leadoff for the A's this season, so his RBI totals might not be that impressive, but expect him to score quite a few runs. He should notch double-digit stolen bases and home runs as well.

Milton Bradley, oak

Batting righthanded against Milwaukee's Chris Capuano, Bradley hit a solo home run in the third inning of Monday's game against the Brewers. The Dodgers' outfielder then switched sides of the plate while facing Ricky Bottalico in the ninth and connected for a three-run shot.

Going 3-for-5 in Monday's contest, Bradley has hit safely in 11 of 12 games this season, including six straight. He has four homers and seven RBI in his last four games. Last year -- his first season with the Dodgers -- Bradley batted .267 with 19 home runs, 67 RBI and 15 stolen bases in 141 games.

4/14/2005

Frank Thomas, oak

Thomas has been bothered by tendinitis in his surgically repaired left ankle since beginning his rehab program in January, and the White Sox' slugger received a cortisone shot Tuesday to reduce the discomfort. Because the injection was into a tendon, Thomas must not work out for a few days to avoid a rupture of that tendon. He won't be allowed to run, hit or perform any of his rehab work until he has medical clearance.

All Thomas can do is undergo treatment, and his left foot will be in a protective boot for a few days. Already Thomas has been unable to run the bases at full speed because of scar tissue, and now he'll sit for a while. With Sox GM Ken Williams believing that Thomas will require roughly 100 at-bats in the minors, the slugger probably won't return to the big league club until at least mid-May.

4/12/2005

Brad Halsey, oak

Halsey notched his first win of the season, holding the Colorado Rockies to just five hits over six shutout innings in Monday's game. The lefthander, who won the fifth spot in the Diamondbacks' starting rotation in spring training, struck out a career-high seven batters and walked just one.

Hasley was acquired from the New York Yankees in the Randy Johnson trade during the offseason. He made eight appearances with the Yanks in 2004, including seven starts, going 1-3 with a 6.47 ERA.

4/11/2005

Juan Gonzalez, oak

The Indians were hoping that Gonzalez would be ready for extended spring training games with minor leaguers by now, but taking the field may be a week off. The progress he was making last week in rehabbing his strained right groin has stalled, and Cleveland's medical staff now won't state a timetable for getting Gonzalez back into game action of any kind.

Antonio Perez, oak

Perez' strained left hamstring felt worse on Saturday, so the Los Angeles Dodgers have placed him on the 15-day disabled list. The reserve infielder, who suffered the injury during an at-bat in Friday's win over the Arizona Diamondbacks, will be replaced on the active roster by Norihiro Nakamura.

Perez likely will miss the rest of the month. He has appeared in just two games this season, going 2-for-5 with a stolen base.

4/10/2005

Barry Zito, oak

Zito is 0-2 for the first time in his six-year major league career after allowing seven hits and 11 runs (eight earned) to the Devil Rays on Saturday. The Oakland lefty has allowed 13 hits in his first two outings of 2005, striking out just three while yielding six walks.

Since September 1 of last season, Zito is 1-4 in nine starts with a 5.50 ERA. The A's have gone just 2-7 in those nine outings.

4/8/2005

Jay Witasick, oak

As anticipated, Witasick has asked for and been granted his release by the Baltimore Orioles. Rather than accept a minor league assignment, the veteran righthander hopes to catch on with another team. He made 44 relief appearances with the San Diego Padres last season, going 0-1 with a 3.21 ERA and one save. He struck out 57 batters and walked 26 in 61.2 innings.

Rich Harden, oak

According to Oakland A's manager Ken Macha, Harden's finger is looking good, and barring any setbacks, the righthander will take the mound against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays on Sunday as scheduled. Harden, who has been slowed by a blister on the middle finger of his pitching hand, will have one more bullpen session on Friday. In six exhibition starts this spring, Harden went 3-1 with a 5.57 ERA. He's struck out 29 batters and walked just five in 21 innings of work.

Harden originally was slated to start on Wednesday, but because of the blister, he was pushed back to Sunday and Kirk Saarloos got the nod instead. He went 11-7 with a 3.99 ERA in 31 games last season.

4/7/2005

Juan Gonzalez, oak

Gonzalez' strained right hamstring continues to improve, and there is a chance the veteran outfielder could see some time in extended spring training games with minor leaguers as early as this weekend. The Indians want Gonzalez on the field several days in a row before even considering activating him from the 15-day disabled list. He's likely at least a week away from joining Cleveland's outfield.

In Gonzalez' absence, Casey Blake has shifted to right field, with Coco Crisp in left and Grady Sizemore in center. Gonzalez has battled injuries the last three years, and the Indians are going to be very cautious and not rush him back too quickly. In 13 exhibition games this spring, Gonzalez batted .243 with three home runs, four doubles and eight RBI.

Kirk Saarloos, oak

As expected, Saarloos got the starting nod for Oakland in Wednesday's game against the Baltimore Orioles, filling in for Rich Harden, who was pushed back to Sunday because of a blister on his pitching hand. What probably wasn't anticipated was the performance the A's got out of the righthander. Saarloos notched the victory, allowing just one hit over six shutout innings. He struck out two batters and walked one.

With the solid outing, Saarloos now has a tight grasp on the fifth spot in the A's starting rotation. He beat out Seth Etherton for the job this spring.

Nick Swisher, oak

Swisher was the leading offensive force in the A's 9-0 drubbing of the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday, going 3-for-5 with two home runs, three RBI and three runs scored. The rookie outfielder hit a solo shot in the seventh inning before connecting for a two-run homer in the ninth.

Swisher will be in the A's outfield on a daily basis this season. Last year, he appeared in just 20 games with Oakland, spending the majority of the campaign in the minor leauges. He batted .269 with 29 home runs and 92 RBI in 125 games for Triple-A Sacramento.

4/6/2005

Kirk Saarloos, oak

The Oakland A's have pushed Rich Harden's scheduled start back to Sunday, as he continues to recover from a blister on his pitching hand. To fill the spot in the starting rotation, Saarloos has been recalled from Triple-A Sacramento, and he will take the mound against the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday.

Saarloos was expected to be recalled later this week, but Harden's injury expedited the process. He won the fifth spot in the A's rotation this spring.

Bobby Crosby, oak

Crosby was sent in to undergo more tests -- including an MRI -- after reporting no improvement in his ailing upper back on Tuesday. The A's shortstop, who originally suffered the injury in batting practice prior to Monday's season opener, said he will not be in the lineup for the rest of the series against the Baltimore Orioles, meaning the earliest he would return would be Friday. A trip to the 15-day disabled list has not been ruled out.

The A's hope to have the results of Crosby's tests back on Wednesday, so they can determine how to move forward. Marco Scutaro will fill the void at shortstop in Crosby's absence. In 151 games last season, Crosby batted .239 with 22 home runs, 64 RBI and seven stolen bases and was named the American League Rookie of the Year.

Bobby Crosby, oak

Tests have revealed that Crosby has a stress fracture of his ninth and 10th ribs, an injury suffered while taking batting practice prior to Monday's season opener against the Baltimore Orioles. As a result, the Oakland A's have placed the shortstop on the 15-day disabled list and have not set a definite timetable for his return. Pitcher Kirk Saarloos fills the void on the 25-man roster.

Marco Scutaro will get the majority of starts at shortstop in Crosby's absence, while Keith Ginter could see some time there as well. In 151 games last season, Crosby batted .239 with 22 home runs, 64 RBI and seven stolen bases and was named the American League Rookie of the Year.

4/5/2005

Rich Harden, oak

Not wanting to take any chances with the blister on the middle finger of Harden's pitching hand, the Oakland A's have pushed back the righthander's first start of the regular season to Sunday at Tampa Bay. Originally slated to take the mound against the Oakland A's on Wednesday, Harden will be replaced by Kirk Saarloos.

The A's are being very cautious with Harden, in hopes of avoiding a lingering problem. In six exhibition starts this spring, Harden went 3-1 with a 5.57 ERA. He's struck out 29 batters and walked just five in 21 innings of work.

4/4/2005

Bobby Crosby, oak

Already nursing a bruised left hand, Crosby was forced to leave in the fifth inning of Monday's season opener against the Baltimore Orioles, due to a sore upper back. The shortstop, who was replaced in the A's lineup by Marco Scutaro, has been listed as day-to-day. He was 1-for-2 with a strikeout prior to his departure.

Crosby will be re-evaluated on Tuesday, which is an off-day for the A's. If no major problems are found, he should be available for Wednesday's contest. In 151 games last season, Crosby batted .239 with 22 home runs, 64 RBI and seven stolen bases and was named the American League Rookie of the Year.