Oakland closer Andrew Bailey returned to the mound today and pitched one inning while yielding one hit — a home run to Seattle’s Franklin Gutierrez. Pitching for the first time since March 14, Bailey ended the top of the ninth with a strikeout.
Bailey gave up a homer in his return to the mound.
“I was just trying to establish my fastball and get my feel back on the mound,” Bailey said. “That’s my fifth appearance and we can go from that. There’s still some time to get used to game action again, but definitely I’ll be ready for opening day.”
Great news for Oakland’s injury-ridden bullpen and Bailey, who had been shut down with tennis elbow.
With Joey Devine (elbow) and Michael Wuertz (shoulder) still on the shelf, Oakland shored up their pen by inking Chad Gaudin to a one-year deal worth $700,000, with a $400,000 performance clause. Gaudin is a valuable asset who can both start and relieve. The 27-year-old righty appeared in 31 games (started 25) for the Padres and Yankees last year and is on his second stint with Oakland.
