As was expected earlier in the week, Brett Anderson was activated and placed in the bullpen. He will apparently work on stretching himself out in the bullpen:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Athletics&src=hash">#Athletics</a> reinstate Brett Anderson from the 60-day disabled list; option Tommy Milone to Triple-A Sacramento.</p>— Oakland Athletics (@Athletics) <a href="https://twitter.com/Athletics/statuses/372794805920989184">August 28, 2013</a></blockquote>
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Rather unexpectedly, Tommy Milone was optioned after his start last night. I guess it makes sense from the perspective of having a fresh long relief arm available, but then there is this:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>For those asking, Milone cannot return to the <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Athletics&src=hash">#Athletics</a> for 10 days or until <a href="https://twitter.com/RiverCats">@RiverCats</a> season is over.</p>— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) <a href="https://twitter.com/susanslusser/statuses/372808851134767104">August 28, 2013</a></blockquote>
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Now, there's not a whole lot of difference between him, A.J. Griffin, and Dan Straily right now in terms of their results, but Milone does have a history of control that those guys do not. It'll be interesting to see whether he finishes out the year in Sacramento fully, or comes up when his 10 day in AAA are up.
Tomorrow, I'd expect Evan Scribner to be sent back to AAA to make room for Colon. The A's can option one current starter, but not two, who need to stay in AAA for the requisite 10 days. After that, Susan Slusser reported that 9/1 callups may include Jemile Weeks and Michael Choice.
Edit: looks like the A's realized the 10-day thing:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Milone being sent to Stockton rather than Sacramento. Ensures he can rejoin A's when their season ends.</p>— Jane Lee (@JaneMLB) <a href="https://twitter.com/JaneMLB/statuses/372822788542701569">August 28, 2013</a></blockquote>
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With the Ports' season ending on Monday, this could get Milone back to Oakland the day after. The River Cats, on the other hand, are in the thick of a PCL playoff race.