--RHP Rich Harden (subscapularis strain) threw 16 pitches off the mound at about 80 percent effort and said he was happy with the way things had gone. Manager Bob Geren said that Harden is likely to throw a simulated game on Saturday. If that goes well, Harden would make a rehab start at the end of the month.
--OF Rajai Davis was claimed off waivers from the Giants. Davis is likely to be used as a late-innings defensive replacement and pinch runner. He also provides insurance in the event that outfielder Travis Buck goes on the DL with shin splints. --RHP Kirk Saarloos was designated for assignment to make room for OF Rajai Davis. Saarloos, called up on April 14, appeared in two games and had a 2.35 ERA. A's assistant GM David Forst said that if Saarloos clears waivers, the team hopes they will be able to re-sign him.
--RHP Justin Duchscherer will start on Saturday at Seattle, manager Bob Geren announced. Duchscherer (biceps strain) threw 48 pitches in a rehab start on Monday, but Geren said Duchscherer will be on a pitch count of 70-80 on Saturday. Lenny DiNardo, whose turn was skipped this week, comes out of the rotation and he will be available in the bullpen if Duchscherer hits his limit early.
--OF Travis Buck missed a fourth consecutive game with shin splints. He said he hopes he does not have to go on the DL, but it is likely that if he does not improve by Saturday, Buck will go on the DL to make room for Saturday starter Justin Duchscherer.
BY THE NUMBERS: 22 -- The number of years since the A's last made errors in 12 consecutive games, as they did the past two weeks, making 15 errors overall in that span. Saturday's was particularly painful: First baseman Daric Barton dropped a foul pop and Miguel Olivo homered two pitches later.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "You're not going to get a hit every time, but the one thing you can do is have a real good at-bat. It's just about having a good approach. You can get away with not having a good at-bat every time in Double-A or Triple-A, but not against an average big-league pitcher. You have to have a plan every time." -- A's second baseman Mark Ellis on the recent offensive lull as a product of the young team's relative inexperience.
