Athletics optioned RHP Vin Mazzaro to Triple-A Sacramento.

That may spell the end of Mazzaro's season. He showed some real flashes of talent this year but was hammered for nine runs on August 31 against the Yankees and five runs on Sunday against the Angels. The 23-year-old turned in a 6-8 record, a 4.29 ERA and a 1.45 WHIP in 115-plus total innings.

Vin Mazzaro was hammered for nine runs -- seven earned -- over 3 2/3 innings in a loss to the Yankees on Tuesday night.

The seven earned runs matched a season-high. Mazzaro gave up seven hits -- including three home runs -- while walking three and striking out three. His ERA shot up from 3.61 to 4.05 in the loss. Most of Mazzaro's recent success was built on a house of cards, anyway, so it's not like we were expecting much success against one of the game's most potent offenses. He'll look to rebound against the Angels this weekend.

Vin Mazzaro allowed just three runs over 6 1/3 innings Thursday but took the loss as the A's loss to the Indians.

The right-hander permitted seven hits, walked two and struck out five. His one fatal mistake was serving up a two-run tater to Matt LaPorta that proved to be the winning runs. Mazzaro has had a fabulous month of August, holding a 2.56 ERA over six outings. His overall ERA now sits at 3.61 to go along with a 1.38 WHIP. Mazzaro will face the Yankees on the road in his next outing.

Viz Mazzaro allowed two runs -- one earned -- in six-plus innings to take a tough loss against the Twins on Sunday.

Mazzaro had allowed just the one earned run through six innings, but Orlando Hudson reaching on an error chased him from the game. Jim Thome would later smack a three-run homer in the inning, with Hudson's unearned run charged to Mazzaro. Despite the still strong results, Mazzaro had poor peripherals with seven hits, three walks, and just three strikeouts. He's not a recommended play with the Rays due up next.

Vin Mazzaro gave up two runs (one earned) over six innings in a no-decision against the Royals on Tuesday night.

Mazzaro held the Royals in check for the most part, allowing only a solo home run to Alex Gordon in the second inning and an RBI groundout by Chris Getz in the fifth, though the run was unearned thanks to a Kevin Kouzmanoff fielding error. He struck five and walked two in the no-decision. Mazzaro was knocked around pretty good in his last start against Texas, but allowed three runs or less in his previous six starts. He's well worth using against the against light-hitting Mariners next week.

Vin Mazzaro gave up seven runs over 5 1/3 innings in Thursday's loss to the Rangers.

He allowed a whopping 12 hits and walked one while striking out three. Both David Murphy and Taylor Teagarden took him deep. This blowup ends and impressive string out starts for Mazzaro, as the right-hander boasted a 1.94 ERA over his previous six starts. He'll try to bounce back next week against Kansas City.

Vin Mazzaro yielded two runs over six innings in a win over the White Sox on Saturday afternoon.

Mazzaro limited the White Sox to just three hits, with the only runs scoring via a two-run homer by Ramon Castro in the second inning. He struck out five and walked three en route to his sixth win. Mazzaro has a 2.74 ERA over his last seven starts. We wondered what would happen when Dallas Braden and Brett Anderson returned from the disabled list, but now that Ben Sheets is out with an elbow injury, Mazzaro's spot should be safe for the foreseeable future. He has real value in AL-only leagues at the moment.

Vin Mazzaro tossed 7 2/3 innings of one-run ball in a 9-6 win over the Royals on Sunday.

Mazzaro continues to impress. He scattered seven hits -- all of them singles -- to go along with five strikeouts and just one walk. Mazzaro has a 2.57 ERA over his last five starts. He's pitching far too well to be sent back to the minor leagues, but something will have to give once Brett Anderson is ready to return from the disabled list. Though it looks unlikely right now, he could find an opening if Ben Sheets is traded.

Viz Mazzaro allowed just one run in 7 1/3 innings as the Athletics topped the Indians 3-1 on Sunday.

Mazzaro gave up seven hits, only one of which went for extra bases, while walking one and striking out seven. Today's quality start was the third straight for Mazzaro, though his command wavered when he walked six batters last time out. Since he's throwing well of late, Mazzaro is worth considering in AL-only leagues when he faces the Angels later in the week.

Filling in for Brett Anderson, Vin Mazzaro pitched five innings of one-run ball for a win over the Angels on Tuesday.

Mazzaro had gotten let up in three of his four appearances for the A's this season, but he allowed just one extra-base hit and he walked none tonight. He'll need to do it at least once more before he'll be worth trying in AL-only leagues.

Vin Mazzaro will start for the injured Brett Anderson when his spot comes around on Tuesday.

Mazzaro made 17 starts in 2009, amassing a 4-9 record with a 5.32 ERA and a 1.74 WHIP, so starting is nothing new to him. He's struggled in his limited use out of the bullpen, so perhaps a return to the rotation will help him find something resembling consistency this year.

Atheltics recalled RHP Vin Mazzaro from Triple-A Sacramento.

The move could mean that Athletics manager Bob Geren has opted to leave Tyson Ross in the pen. Mazzaro gave up four runs over three innings in his only appearance with the A's this season on May 4. He has a 3.13 ERA over seven appearances (six starts) with the River Cats this season.

The Athletics are considering either Vin Mazzaro or Tyson Ross to replace Justin Duchscherer in the rotation against the Tigers on Thursday afternoon.

Mazzaro, who is currently pitching with Triple-A Sacramento, allowed four runs over three innings against the Rangers on May 4. Ross has a 3.97 ERA over 12 relief appearances this season. He gave up three runs over 3 2/3 innings as a last-minute replacement for Duchscherer on Saturday. Athletics manager Bob Geren intended to make a decision before Wednesday.

Athletics optioned RHP Vin Mazzaro to Triple-A Sacramento.

Mazzaro was no longer needed after giving up four runs over three innings in place of Justin Duchscherer against the Rangers on Tuesday. Still, he could come back if Duchscherer is forced to go on the disabled list.

Vin Mazzaro was pulled after giving up four runs in three innings Tuesday against the Rangers.

All of the runs came on Vladimir Guerrero's grand slam in the third. He gave up just one other hit, but the A's still decided they were better off turning to their bullpen to start the fourth. The decision paid off, as they ended up winning 7-6. Mazzaro might be sent back down to Triple-A on Wednesday.

Athletics recalled RHP Vin Mazzaro from Triple-A Sacramento.

As expected, Mazzaro will take the place of Justin Duchscherer in the rotation. Though it will only be for one turn for now, he could get an extended look if Duchscherer's hip fails to respond to a scheduled cortisone shot.