Joey Devine has thrown 9 1/3 scoreless innings while boasting a 13/0 K/BB ratio for Triple-A Sacramento.

It's certainly encouraging, but the injury-prone right-hander has yet to show he can pitch on back-to-back days, and the A's want to see him get some more innings in before a call-up is considered. "He just needs to keep pitching, keep performing," manager Bob Geren said. "We'll make that decision when everyone feels he's ready. He's going in the right direction."

A's optioned RHP Joey Devine to Triple-A Sacramento.

Devine, 27, hasn't pitched in the major leagues since 2008 due to Tommy John surgery. He has battled injuries during camp and just wasn't ready to pitch out of the major league bullpen to start the season. Once he works his way through his current issues with "dead arm," he could make his way back onto the roster.

Joey Devine (elbow) had his second straight successful bullpen session Saturday and could appear in a minor league game Tuesday.

The A's haven't been too concerned about Devine, saying he's simply going through a "dead arm" phase. Though any physical problem with him should be taken seriously, it does appear that he should be ready by Opening Day.

Joey Devine (elbow) threw a successful 20-pitch bullpen session Thursday in A's camp.

The Oakland coaching staff is hoping that Devine will only need one more bullpen session before he is able to make his return to Cactus League games. He was slowed this week by a bit of a dead arm phase.

Joey Devine says the tightness in his arm that forced him to cut a simulated game short Saturday is just a "dead arm" phase and he expects to be fine soon.

It's encouraging news, but given Devine's injury history, we'll believe it when we see it. He had looked good this spring up until this point, but Devine's stuff has never been an issue. It's not clear when he'll return to a mound.

Joey Devine (elbow) felt tightness while throwing to hitters Saturday and was shut down after nine pitches.

He'll be evaluated on Sunday, according to the Chronicle's Susan Slusser. Opening Day suddenly looks a lot less realistic for him.

Joey Devine touched 93 mph with his fastball Sunday in his spring debut.

Devine, who has missed the last two years following Tommy John surgery, pitched a scoreless inning against the Cubs and said he felt good afterwards. "That's the most important thing, whether I went three-up-three-down or didn't get an out," he added.

Athletics and RHP Joey Devine avoided arbitration Monday by agreeing to a one-year contract.

Terms aren't immediately available. Devine, now 27 years old, hasn't pitched in the major leagues since 2008 due to Tommy John surgery. Finally healthy, he is expected to compete for a bullpen job during spring training.

Joey Devine (elbow) expects to compete for a bullpen spot in spring training next season.

Devine hasn't pitched in the major leagues since 2008 due to Tommy John surgery, but felt no pain during a recent stint with the Athletics' Instructional League team. The 27-year-old right-hander now plans to rest his arm for six weeks before beginning a typical offseason throwing program in December, likely with the input of Dr. James Andrews, who performed the surgery last April.

Joey Devine (elbow) won't pitch for the A's this season.

Devine will instead continue his rehab with an eye on playing in a fall instructional league. The reliever, who posted a 0.53 ERA last season, has been out all year recovering from Tommy John surgery.

Joey Devine (elbow) threw 20 pitches in a simulated game Saturday.

It's the first time he's faced hitters in four months. Devine is expected to have another simulated game either Tuesday or Wednesday before a possible rehab assignment. He is hoping to get in a few games for the A's before the end of the season.

Joey Devine (elbow) is throwing at a distance of 120 feet and still plans to pitch for the A's in September.

The right-hander will report to the team's Arizona complex next week. Perpetually injured, the talented Devine will be tough to count on if he does manage to make it back this season.

Joey Devine (elbow) has been shut down and isn't expected to resume throwing for a few weeks.

Devine is also scheduled to meet with Dr. James Andrews, who performed Tommy John surgery on his right elbow last season. It does not appear that he will be returning to the A's bullpen anytime soon.

Joey Devine (elbow) hopes to go out on a minor league rehab assignment this month.

Devine is currently pitching in simulated games at extended spring training, so whatever discomfort he felt in his flexor tendon looks to be in the rear-view mirror. The 26-year-old right-hander missed the entire 2009 season due to Tommy John surgery. He is eligible to return from the 60-day disabled list on June 29, but the best-case scenario is that we see him before the All-Star break.

Joey Devine (elbow) is starting to make progress after suffering a setback in his recovery last month.

"I'm close to the point I was at before I left for there," said Devine, who received a platelet rich plasma injection from Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Ala. last month. "I've been feeling really strong, which is a good sign that the treatment is working." He threw a 25-pitch bullpen session at about 85 percent on Monday, and he plans to ramp it up to around 90 percent on Thursday. Barring any setbacks, he'll move on to simulated games before beginning a minor league rehab assignment. Devine is eligible to return from the 60-day disabled list on June 29.

Joey Devine's rehab from the Tommy John surgery he had in April of 2009 took another step forward this week, as he threw off a mound with no pain.

Devine was supposed to have recovered by now, but rehab simply isn't always a linear process. He's working his way back to health and hopes to rejoin the A's in late July. Oakland's bullpen is near league average, so a healthy Devine would certainly be an asset to a 'pen that has been one of the league's most active units with 152 1/3 innings pitched so far this season.

Joey Devine (elbow) resumed playing catch late last week.

Devine is on the 60-day disabled list as he continues to recover from Tommy John surgery. He still has a long road ahead and shouldn't be counted on to return until early July, or possibly after the All-Star break. The 26-year-old missed all of 2009 but was one of the best relievers in the game in 2008.

Athletics transferred RHP Joey Devine from the 15-day to the 60-day disabled list.

Devine was supposed to be back from Tommy John surgery by now, but he's dealt with multiple setbacks and is out indefinitely.

Joey Devine (elbow) will not throw for two weeks due to severe tendinitis.

It's actually some good news, since he was worried about a torn flexor tendon. Devine was schedule to meet with Dr. James Andrews on Monday after complaining of symptoms similar to what he experienced before he underwent season-ending Tommy John surgery last April. The Athletics will obviously exercise extreme caution moving forward.

Joey Devine (elbow) has been shut down from his throwing program.

Devine is currently working his way back from Tommy John surgery that cost him the entire 2009 season. He suffered a similar setback during spring training and is currently awaiting results of an MRI.