A's assistant general manager David Forst said the team would not answer any questions about free-agent DH Frank Thomas, but speculation continued that the team has interest in the right-handed slugger, who hit 39 homers for Oakland two seasons ago.
And Oakland did make a move on Wednesday -- to add outfielder Rajai Davis. Davis, put on waivers by the Giants, is likely to be a late-innings defensive replacement and pinch runner, at least initially. Manager Bob Geren said that Davis' acquisition was not related to Travis Buck's shin splints. Buck has missed four games in a row, though, and the A's are thin in the outfield at Class AAA Sacramento, where Jeff Fiorentino (facial surgery), Richie Robnett (abdominal surgery) and Carlos Gonzalez (bruised hand) are all out.
Now, if Buck needs to go on the DL in the next several days, the A's are covered. It's possible that if Buck cannot go by Saturday at Seattle, he'll be placed on the DL to make room for starter Justin Duchscherer, who will be activated to face the Mariners.
DH Mike Sweeney also has a sore right knee, so the A's have dropped down to 11 pitchers, designating right-hander Kirk Saarloos for assignment to make room for Davis.
A'S 3, TWINS 0: Chad Gaudin had his second terrific outing in a row for Oakland, working seven scoreless innings Wednesday. The big moment of the game for him came with two out in the seventh, when the Twins got a pair of singles before Gaudin got Craig Monroe to pop to short. Mike Sweeney, whose job would be in jeopardy if the A's sign Frank Thomas, hit his first home run of the season, singled in another run with two out in the third, and walked and scored Oakland's first run.
