A's Notes: Gaudin Back; Duke To DL

The Oakland A's announced on Monday that they have reinstated right-hander Chad Gaudin from the 15-day DL and have placed right-hander Justin Duchscherer on the 15-day DL. Gaudin is slated to start on Tuesday in Toronto.

As expected, the Oakland A's have reinstated right-hander Chad Gaudin from the 15-day DL in time for Gaudin to make the start on Tuesday night in Toronto. Gaudin had been on the DL since the start of the season. He was restricted with his throwing at the start of spring training after undergoing two off-season surgeries, one to his hip and one to his foot.

Gaudin had been scheduled to pitch a rehab assignment for Triple-A Sacramento on Monday. However, the A's decided to activate Gaudin from the DL a few days early when starters Rich Harden and Justin Duchscherer went down with injuries.

Duchscherer's injury - a strained right biceps - happened on Friday during Duchscherer's first start of the season. The right-hander pitched well in the game, but he exited after only five innings with pain in the arm. The injury is not thought to be too serious and he could return as soon as April 30, as the DL date is retroactive to April 5.

Harden's status is more up-in-the-air. The right-hander, who has made two starts this season, was scheduled to start on Tuesday in Toronto. However, his start has been pushed back until Saturday with what the team is calling soreness in his lat muscle in his back. Harden has missed much of the past two seasons with an assortment of injuries.

The A's have not yet announced who will take Duchscherer's spot in the rotation on Wednesday. The San Francisco Chronicle reported on Tuesday that Sacramento left-hander Greg Smith would be recalled to make the start. The A's will have to make a move off of both their 25-man and 40-man rosters to add Smith.