A’s Quick Hits: July 11-July 17

Brett Anderson went from the 15 day-DL to Tommy John surgery in the matter of 24 hours. A’s didn’t announce the surgery until after the procedure on the morning of July 14th. The surgery really isn’t a surprise though. Anderson has had elbow issues and off-and-on DL stints since joining the big leagues. Realistically, he should’ve had the surgery last year when the Tommy John procedure was an option after missing several starts and going on the 30 day-DL. Rehab time is 12-18 months, so we most likely won’t see any Anderson sliders again until the 2013 season. Anderson is signed through the 2013 season, with club options for 2014 and 2015.

The A’s lone All-Star, Gio Gonzalez, appeared in his first relief role since 2009 in the bottom of the 8th inning at the All-Star game. Gio struck out Jay Bruce looking with a fastball on a 3-2 count. After the game, Gio explained what was going through his mind when he got his first call for an All-Star appearance: “I was playing with my mechanics in the bullpen, but then I realized who I was facing and I thought, ‘Oh, God, I hope he bunts or something.’ I just didn’t want him to hit a home run. He’s a well-respected hitter, but at the same time, I was just trying to have fun and do my best to represent the A’s.

Pitcher Bobby Cramer was released 10 days after being designated for assignment to remove him from the 40-man roster. He was 0-1 with a 1.08 ERA in five relief appearances with the A’s and 0-0 with a 4.03 ERA in six starts for Sacramento. Bobby Cramer took the Kenny Powers route to the major leagues. Cramer had 3 elbow surgeries and bounced around in the minor leagues in the beginning of his career. After his 3rd surgery, he became a middle school Algebra teacher in southern California for a few years and attended Angels games as a spectator. Deciding to try and make a comeback, he spent time in independent baseball leagues and the Mexican league to work his way up to his first career start with the A’s in 2010. Cramer can be effective long relief pitcher and should be picked up soon.

A’s top prospect Grant Green played his first game in center field for Double-A Midland this week. Green just won the MVP of the Future’s game and trying out different positions to fast track him to the major’s. Green is great at the plate, but struggles at times defensively at shortstop. He’s made 58 errors since the start of the 2010 season.

The Saturday double-header against the Angels was the first scheduled double-header in the majors since 2003. With recent talks of expanding the playoffs and league realignment, Angels coach Mike Scioscia thinks the double-header could be a sign of things to come. “They’re going to have to be given more consideration as the league looks into reforming the schedule, and a change in the amount of teams in each league. A lot of things are going to have to be considered, and one of them is scheduled doubleheaders. We’re already looking at incredible burdens of travel out West, and we’re still pushing the schedule of playoffs almost into November. It’s something that has to be put on the front burner.”

The A’s average about 10,000 fans on a regular Thursday night game and about 12,000 on a regular Saturday night game. A’s had 28,000 fans in attendance for the doubleheader so the 2-for-1 game actually helped attendance numbers.