A’s Ink Bonser to Minor League Deal

In another move to add even more depth to their pitching, the A’s added right-handed pitcher Boof Bonser. Bonser, 28, was released by the Boston Red Sox, but is expected to join Triple-A Sacramento immediately. A’s assistant GM, David Forst, hopes that the team will be able to stretch Bonser, who was a reliever with Boston, into a starter.

In other news, the A’s announced that SP Dallas Braden will not make his start on Saturday. The A’s obviously took the safe route here, since Braden hasn’t been comfortable enough to make the start. It was said that Braden wasn’t able to throw his slider or breaking ball without feeling some discomfort. So, the A’s will hand the ball over to Clayton Mortensen on Saturday against the Indians. Mortensen, who arrived in the Matt Holliday trade last season, will be making his first start of the 2010 season.

For more on the Braden situation, here’s an excerpt from the A’s official site:

"Braden, battling a dose of elbow tendinitis, came out of a 25-plus pitch bullpen session on Thursday feeling well, but Geren said the club wants to give him “as much time as he needs to get himself feeling better.” Thus, to make room for Mortensen on the roster, Braden is likely to be placed on the disabled list on Saturday.Mortensen was one of two Sacramento players — the other Josh Donaldson — recently named to the Pacific Coast League All-Star team. The 25-year-old righty, owner of a 10-2 record and 3.58 ERA this season, was held out of his scheduled start for the River Cats on Thursday in the event Braden was unable to go.In 98 innings pitched for Sacramento this year, Mortensen has compiled 77 strikeouts, good for third in the PCL. Meanwhile, he’s walked just 31. He made seven appearances — six of them starts — for the A’s last year, struggling with a 2-4 record and 7.63 ERA."