Ben Sheets could be added to the Braves' starting rotation soon after the All-Star break.

Sheets is scheduled to throw 75 pitches in his debut for Double-A Mississippi on Wednesday, then about 90 pitches in a start after that. If both outings go well, the Braves are likely to give him a try. The 34-year-old signed a minor league contract with Atlanta over the weekend. He hasn't appeared in a major league game since 2010.

Braves signed RHP Ben Sheets to a minor league contract.

The Braves were among the teams that watched Sheets throw last month, and apparently they thought he looked good enough to take a shot on him. Sheets hasn't appeared in a game since July of 2010 and hasn't been effective since 2008, but it's a no-risk move that could potentially provide a decent return. The soon-to-be 34-year-old will make his first start at Double-A Mississippi on July 4.

Tim Dierkes of MLBTradeRumors.com reports that Ben Sheets threw for scouts from the Phillies, Braves, Yankees, and Angels Wednesday.

Sheets is apparently recovered from a second flexor tendon procedure on his right elbow from last August and is looking for another shot. He hasn't appeared in a game since July of 2010 and hasn't been effective since 2008. Someone might give him a shot if he shows he's healthy, but he's obviously a longshot to contribute.

According to Buster Olney of ESPN.com, Ben Sheets (elbow) isn't negotiating with any teams and hasn't solidified his plans.

You know, just in case you were wondering. Sheets underwent surgery last August that essentially replaced/repaired every major structure in his troubled right elbow. We wouldn't be surprised if he never pitched in the big leagues again.

Ben Sheets (elbow) told reporters Friday that he isn't sure if he will be able to pitch again.

"I have no idea," said Sheets. "My arm will tell me." Besides needing Tommy John surgery to reconstruct the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow, he also had the flexor and pronator tendons in his elbow repaired. We're looking more than a year of rehab here, so the odds are squarely against him.

Ben Sheets needed Tommy John surgery to reconstruct the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow.

Sheets also had the flexor and pronator tendons in his elbow repaired. The surgery was performed by Dallas-based orthopedist Dr. Keith Meister on Monday. The odds were already stacked against another comeback in the first place, but he has one heckuva hill to climb in the months ahead.

According to Athletics manager Bob Geren, Ben Sheets underwent successful elbow surgery Monday.

Sheets had his flexor tendon, pronator tendon and ulnar collateral ligament repaired. We should learn more about a timeframe for his recovery soon enough, but just last week, the 32-year-old right-hander expressed some doubts as to whether he'd be able to make another comeback.

Ben Sheets (elbow surgery) still isn't sure if he'll pitch again.

"My arm will tell me," he said of the decision of whether to pitch again. Sheets said his flexor-tendon surgery will take place Monday and that the tendon will be anchored to the bone differently than it was the first time he had a similar procedure. The San Francisco Chronicle notes that one thing that may play into Sheets' decision is that he has nine years of service time and it takes 10 years of service to receive the full major-league pension.

Ben Sheets is scheduled to undergo surgery next week to repair a torn flexor tendon in his right elbow.

Sheets finally decided to have the surgery after initially weighing whether to retire. "It will be a significantly long time again," the 32-year-old said Monday. "Probably about 12 months, I think, then I'll be back dominating." He will be a free agent when he is finally recovered and could have trouble landing a decent contract because of his long list of procedures.

Athletics transferred RHP Ben Sheets from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day disabled list.

Mine as well open up a spot on the 40-man roster, since Sheets' season is over. He's currently weighing a decision of whether he will have surgery to repair a torn flexor tendon in his right elbow or retire. Sheets posted a 4.53 ERA and 1.39 WHIP over 20 starts for the A's this year and will be a free agent after this season.

Ben Sheets is weighing a decision of whether he will have surgery to repair a torn flexor tendon in his right elbow or retire.

With money on the table, it sounds like it won't be a tough decision. "At the end of the day, I'll probably have the surgery sooner than later, for the sheer fact that it gives you opportunities and options later on no matter what you decide," Sheets said. "The way it looks this time, for everyday life, it's a good idea." Some believe that the surgery could end Sheets' career, anyway. It looks like we'll find out. Sheets posted a 4.53 ERA and 1.39 WHIP over 20 starts for the A's and will be a free agent after this season.

Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle has confirmed that Ben Sheets will require a second flexor tendon surgery.

Some believe that the surgery will end Sheets' career, but he's only 32 and we're sure he will at least attempt a comeback. The right-hander was signed to a one-year, $10 million contract this offseason and posted a 4.53 ERA and 1.39 WHIP over 20 starts for the A's. Not one of GM Billy Beane's best moves.

Athletics placed RHP Ben Sheets on the 15-day disabled list with an elbow injury.

It's unclear how long the right-hander will be out, as he said that it could range from a minimum DL stint to possibly being out for the season. For what it's worth, Sheets told GM Billy Beane that he wanted to pitch Sunday, but the team wants to be cautious. Given his injury history, we're not optimistic.

Ben Sheets has re-injured his elbow and is headed to the DL.

Sheets missed the end of the 2008 season and all of 2009 with an elbow injury, so obviously this is bad news. The right-hander said his elbow has been swollen the last two or there starts. He's not sure how much time he'll miss, saying that it could range from "it's nothing," and he just misses a bit of time on the DL, to he could be done for the season. GMs that had been eyeing Sheets can feel free to cross him off their wish list.

Ben Sheets shut out the Angels for six innings to earn his fourth win as the A's prevailed 15-1 on Saturday.

Now there's some run support. The A's scored eight in the third and five in the fifth off Scott Kazmir, giving Sheets a huge margin for error on a night in which he didn't need it. He's put together three straight quality starts for the first time since April.

A's GM Billy Beane doesn't anticipate being active at the trade deadline.

When asked if his team could dangle Ben Sheets, Beane said, "I don't want to comment on individual players but, in our situation, I don't anticipate us being that active at the trade deadline." That's far from saying the A's won't trade Sheets, and in fact it seems likely that they will. A recent report indicated that at least 10 teams are interested in the right-hander, who is on a one-year, $10 million deal.

A source tells Matt Cerrone of MetsBlog.com that the Mets, Phillies and Rangers, among at least 10 other teams, have been keeping a close eye on the A's Ben Sheets.

On Wednesday, we learned that the Phillies sent a scout to Oakland on Monday night, possibly to watch Sheets pitch. Sheets, who turns 32 later this month, is 3-8 with a 4.89 ERA over his first 18 starts this season. Given the fact that he will make roughly $5 million for the rest of the year, it probably won't take much in the way of premium prospects in order to acquire him.

Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com reports that Phillies scout Charley Kerfeld watched Ben Sheets pitch in Oakland on Monday night.

It doesn't mean that Kerfeld was sent to Oakland specifically to watch Sheets pitch, but Salisbury writes that "Sheets could be traded and the Phils appear to have some interest." After missing the entire 2009 season with elbow surgery, Sheets is 3-8 with a 4.89 ERA over his first 18 starts this season. He'll garner some interest around the trade deadline, but nothing close to what A's general manager Billy Beane hoped for when he signed him to a $10 million contract in January.

Ben Sheets picked up a victory Friday after allowing four runs in six innings against the Pirates.

Not a performance to write home about, but he did win for the third time this season. He actually struck out nine in the contest, but he also allowed eight hits to one of the game's worst offenses. The win was his first since May 8.

Major league sources tell Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports.com that the Athletics do not plan to trade Ben Sheets unless they receive "a compelling offer."

The team is not under pressure to move the remainder of his $10 million salary for this season and they also value his presence as a mentor for their young staff. They'd probably be singing a different tune if Sheets managed something better than a 4.95 ERA over his 15 starts this season. There will still be interest in his services around the deadline, but it will be nothing like the A's front office originally hoped for.