If the Oakland Athletics are going to be serious contenders in the AL West, they're probably going to have to find a way to beat the Seattle Mariners. 

Frank Thomas won in his return to Oakland. 

The Big Hurt is back in the Bay Area - and it's as if he never left. 

After more than a week of day-to-day prognoses and a handful of pinch-hitting appearances, Phillies shortstop and 2007 National League Most Valuable Player Jimmy Rollins was officially placed on the disabled list Sunday. 

Here are some new words that have found their way into my daily dialogue: 

--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. 

MEDICAL WATCH: OF Travis Buck (shin splints) was out of the lineup April 19-23 and was day-to-day. 

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. 

Rumors keep swirling that Frank Thomas might wind up back in the Bay Area to bolster the Oakland Athletics' middle-of-the-pack offense. 

Mike Sweeney has long maintained the motto of controlling what he can. 

Mike Sweeney has long maintained the motto of controlling what he can. 

The Oakland Athletics added speed and versatility to their roster Wednesday, claiming outfielder Rajai Davis off waivers from the San Francisco Giants.