--RHP Rich Harden, out since April 2 with a strain under his right arm, threw 3 2/3 innings Thursday in a rehab start at Class AAA Sacramento. He allowed three hits and a run and struck out four. He threw 50 pitches, which was his limit. He is scheduled for another rehab start Tuesday, and if all goes well, he's likely to start for the A's on May 11 at Texas.
--RHP Keith Foulke (neck) will get two more rehab appearances, Monday and Wednesday, after Friday night's outing for Class AAA Sacramento. That means that Foulke will not be activated until the A's next road trip, at the earliest. --OF Travis Buck will begin a rehab assignment at Class AAA Sacramento on Saturday. Buck, who is recovering from shin splints, could be there a week or more. The A's want him to work on his swing after he hit .154 in the first few weeks of the season.
--3B Eric Chavez is a ways away from a rehab assignment, but Thursday he fielded grounders again, making it back-to-back days. Manager Bob Geren said the third baseman felt even better the second time around. Geren said it's too early to project a return date for Chavez, but he was encouraged by Thursday's activity.
--LHP Dana Eveland, who felt a little twinge in his left elbow Wednesday night, said the elbow was tender Thursday but he thinks he's fine. Eveland felt the discomfort while warming up before the second inning Wednesday but remained in the game.
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.
