SANTIAGO

Casilla later

Don't see an announcement yet, but it appears from the A's active roster that they've put Santiago Casilla -- their best reliever this year -- on the DL with the elbow injury he suffered yesterday. This leaves them a bit short in the bullpen; expect Chad Gaudin will be picking up the seventh-inning load.

To replace him, the A's brought up shortstop Gregorio Petit, who's having a good year in Sacramento, giving them a backup infielder if Mark Ellis can't play this weekend. The injury situation isn't as bad as last year, but don't like the trend.

THANKS SF CHRONICLE

Logjam in the outfield

While the A's limp home from a 2-7 trip, the River Cats continue to dominate, winning 9 of their last 11. Sacramento's starting outfield yesterday -- Todd Linden, Carlos Gonzalez, Travis Buck --may be stronger than the usual one on the parent club -- Jack Cust, Ryan Sweeney, Emil Brown.

The most likely first move would be to restore Buck to right and platoon Cust with Brown in left. Given the logjam, Gonzalez probably will stay in AAA most of the year. Chris Denorfia, rehabbing in Sacto, doesn't seem to have a place to go since Sweeney has apparently won the centerfield job and Rajai Davis offers a speedier late-inning replacement.

And poor Linden. After his super spring and great start in Sacramento, he's back from injury, getting walked a lot and has a standout OPB of 1.034, much better than any of the prospects -- but, nearing his 28th birthday, has no apparent path back to the majors.

THANKS SFGATE.