A’s Duchscherer “Likely” Out For the Season

The Oakland Athletics are now likely to be without two-time All-Star, Justin Duchscherer, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. Justin Duchscherer, who was scheduled to make a start last Saturday against the Angels, was scratched minutes before the game and was placed on the DL yesterday. Duchscherer, who signed a one-year deal with Oakland this past offseason, anticipates that he will require season-ending surgery to resolve a problem in his left hip.

After Duchscherer was placed on the DL, Oakland called up Henry Rodriguez, who was sent down when the A’s activated Duchscherer Saturday. Oakland also called up Cedric Bowers, in a move to help the A’s taxed bullpen. In order to call up Bowers, however, the A’s designated Chad Gaudin for assignment.  Gaudin, in his return stint with Oakland, had allowed 11 earned runs in his last four innings. Gaudin did not appreciate the move by Oakland—not surprising.

Vin Mazzaro is expected to fill Duchscherer’s spot in the rotation. Mazzaro did not have an impressive outing in his 2010 debut, but he is a talented young pitcher, who the A’s like. Mazzaro will get another shot to prove his value, and will join the likes of Ben Sheets, Dallas Braden, Gio Gonzalez and Trevor Cahill in the rotation.