Oakland starter Brett Anderson's velocity has been dropping for much of the season. On Monday, it got to the point where Anderson was sent back to the Bay Area to have his elbow examined, and on Tuesday, Anderson has been placed on the disabled list with an injury.
The exact nature of the injury has not been disclosed. It may not even be known just yet. The A's are terming the problem a "sore left elbow," which could mean almost anything. But what it doesn't mean is anything good, especially since this isn't the first elbow problem to send Anderson to the DL.
Used to be that the A's were content with their awesome run prevention, keyed by an awesome rotation. Now they're without Anderson. They're without Dallas Braden. They're without Brandon McCarthy. They're without Tyson Ross. Health has been a problem, and the A's are going to have a devil of a time climbing out of last place in the AL West.
Bobby Cramer has been brought up to assume Anderson's place. It's Cramer's third stint with the A's already this season. He's thrown only 3-2/3 innings in the Majors in 2011, but he's made six starts with AAA Sacramento, allowing 11 runs in 22-1/3 frames. The A's are desperate.