OAKLAND -- Just seconds before revealing the disappointing news of Mike Sweeney's scheduled road to knee surgery, manager Bob Geren announced the team was finally crossing one of eight players off the disabled list with Sunday's return of reliever Andrew Brown.
With the activation of the right-hander, the A's optioned lefty pitcher Dallas Braden to Triple-A Sacramento.
Brown was 0-0 with a 2.45 ERA in 17 relief appearances with the A's before undergoing an appendectomy on May 20. He made two rehab appearances, pitching for Class A Stockton on Wednesday and Triple-A Sacramento on Friday, throwing a combined 3 1/3 innings and allowing one run.
"He's good to go," Geren said before Sunday's series finales against the Angels. "He threw over one inning in both of his rehab starts, and I checked with him this morning to make sure he was feeling good."
Braden, who started the season in Sacramento, is getting used to the drive from Oakland to the team's Triple-A ballpark. He had been recalled by Oakland on May 19 for his third stint with the A's this season and pitched twice since his return, giving up three runs on six hits and four walks in 3 2/3 innings.
Brown could soon be joined by fellow reliever Santiago Casilla on the 25-man roster. Two hours before the start of Sunday's game, Casilla threw 29 pitches in a simulated game against Gregorio Petit, Donnie Murphy and Rajai Davis.
The right-handed Casilla, who was placed on the 15-day DL on May 16 with right elbow soreness, said his arm was "OK."
Geren, though, appeared a bit more optimistic about the pitcher's outing, mentioning Casilla's velocity was "solid."
"He did very well," the skipper said. "He was throwing all his pitches -- he had his fastball, slider and changeup going."
Casilla is scheduled to make two rehab appearances this week at either Class A Stockton or in Sacramento before being activated.
"I feel a little confused with my mechanics," the 27-year-old pitcher said while noting his fastball was up, "but my elbow is good."
No comments:
Post a Comment