--RHP Rich Harden threw a simulated game Saturday, with a total of 50 pitches. Manager Bob Geren estimated that Harden allowed two hits and recorded "a lot of strikeouts." Harden will pitch in another simulated game or make a rehab start, and five days after that will make a rehab start, putting his likely return to the Oakland rotation during the A's May 9-11 series at Texas.
--RHP Keith Foulke (neck soreness) is continuing his long throwing program at the team's complex in Phoenix. Foulke, who is throwing more than 100 feet, might be on track to pitch in a game Friday, either at extended spring or as a rehab assignment at Class AAA Sacramento or Class A Stockton. --RHP Andrew Brown hasn't given up an earned run in 14 innings, covering 11 outings. His 14 innings pitched without an earned run are the most among AL relievers. He has retired 20 of the past 22 batters he's faced.
--OF/DH Jack Cust is 2-for-14 over the past six games, dropping his average to .161, the third-lowest mark in the league. Cust, ideally a DH, has mostly been in left field, and he will continue to be there when in the lineup since the team added DH Frank Thomas.
--LHP Lenny DiNardo was sent out to Class AAA Sacramento in order to make room for starter RHP Justin Duchscherer. DiNardo hadn't worked in nine days and the team wants to keep him stretched out for long relief or emergency-starter duty, so he'll start for Sacramento on Wednesday.
BY THE NUMBERS: 17 -- The number of years since the A' have started a season this well. They were also 15-9 after the first 24 games in 1992. Oakland has recorded its first winning record in April since 2002.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "The risk and reward make it worth it. We'd be crazy not to take a chance on someone like Frank -- if we don't sign him and he goes out and hits 30 homers and drives in 90 runs, we're the bigger fool." -- A's general manager Billy Beane, on picking up DH Frank Thomas.
