SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -Milton Bradley’s hard-luck season took another downward turn Friday, when the Oakland outfielder went on the 15-day disabled list for the third time already in 2007.
Bradley came off his second DL stint May 30 after recovering from a strained left hamstring only to injure his right calf three days later, leaving Saturday’s game against Minnesota in the fifth inning. He hadn’t played in the last five games, getting scratched Wednesday night against the Boston Red Sox after testing his legs before the game.
The move is retroactive to June 3.
“It didn’t respond,” manager Bob Geren said of Bradley’s calf. “I feel bad for him. He’s trying real hard. He’s been working real hard to come back. We want him in there and he wants to be in there. It’ll happen.”
Bradley, who is in a contract year when players hope to be putting up some of their best numbers, first was shelved from April 23 to May 10, then again May 15-29. Since his latest return, the right fielder had batted 5-for-11 (.455) with two doubles and an RBI.
Oakland filled his roster spot by recalling infielder Donnie Murphy from Triple-A Sacramento, and he flew from Tucson, Ariz., back to Oakland on Friday after going to Arizona from Sacramento on Thursday.
“Short turn around,” said Murphy, who was sent down June 1. “That’s fine with me.”
Bradley has been on the DL 11 times in his career, including five in his two seasons with the A’s.
Oakland did get some encouraging news on the health front: injured right-handers Rich Harden and Huston Street each had productive throwing sessions before the game.
Harden, out since April 16 with a strained right shoulder, made 65 throws with 15 of those on flat ground from 60 feet – just shy of the distance from the mound to the plate.
“From where he’s come a week ago, he’s doing very well,” pitching coach Curt Young said. “He has been throwing good.”
Harden wasn’t sure when he would actually begin throwing from the front of the mound, saying: “You guys will know. Soon enough.”
Street, meanwhile, the 2005 AL Rookie of the Year, is making progress in his recovery from nerve irritation in his right elbow that landed him on the DL on May 15. He played catch for the second time after also doing so Wednesday.
Street hopes to return before the All-Star break, and Geren thinks that’s a reasonable timetable. He made 40 throws from 80 feet Friday and planned to make 50-60 throws from 100 feet Sunday.
“It still feels like I’m in Little League, getting excited about 80 feet,” Street said. “I felt strong. I felt a little fatigue, but that’s normal the second day throwing in 27. Everything’s going in the right direction.”
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