A’s Notes: Bailey, Cahill, Crisp & More!

Former A’s-ace, Rich Harden, was removed after just 2.1 innings of work in yesterday’s game in Oakland. He gave up three runs, two hits (one being a homer), and threw 62 pitches (32 for strikes). On the year, Harden is now 4-4 with a 5.45 ERA.

Big Three Update: With Mark Mulder retired, only two members Oakland’s “Big Three” remain active in the league: Tim Hudson, and Barry Zito. Hudson, who pitches for Atlanta, is 13-5 with a 2.24 ERA this season. Hudson has played exceptionally well, and has enjoyed the most success since his departure from Oakland. Zito meanwhile, seems to have finally found his lost mojo this season. The Giants signed him to a big seven-year, $126 million contract back in ’06, but up until now he’s failed to live up to it. On the year, Zito is 8-6 with a 3.35 ERA. Giants fans should be happy with the way Zito is pitching this season.

A’s prospects Chris Carter (27 HR, 88 RBIs) and Michael Taylor (5 HR, 63 RBIs) could be with the team come September, when rosters expand. Both prospects are highly-regarded, and are seen as future faces of the franchise.

A’s DH/IF Eric Chavez has not made any headlines recently, so I’m guessing that there’s nothing new to report. Chavez, who is in his last year of his six-year contract, is supposedly aiming for a September return.