Notes: Olson still out; A's sign Bedrosian

OAKLAND -- The A’s began 10-game homestand with their top slugger still missing from the starting lineup.

Matt Olson, who was scratched just hours before Thursday’s victory over the Rays at Tropicana Field after hitting a ball off the L-screen that ricocheted back and hit him in the left eye during batting practice, was held out of Friday’s three-game series opener against the Orioles. Though X-rays showed nothing was broken and manager Bob Melvin said Olson was “feeling better” on Friday, the first baseman still had some swelling around the eye that still needs to go down.

“Not good enough to play yet,” Melvin said. “His eye is a little bit open. It was a pretty scary situation, so we’ll be careful with it.”

Melvin said Olson had also been evaluated for possible concussion symptoms by the A’s medical staff and was cleared.

Olson’s six homers were tied for third-most in the American League entering play Friday. Mitch Moreland, who got the start in the opener vs. Baltimore, is likely to fill in at the spot for as long as Olson is out.

A’s sign longtime foe Bedrosian
Veteran right-hander Cam Bedrosian was included on the Opening Day roster released by the Triple-A Las Vegas Aviators on Friday after signing a Minor League deal with the A’s.

The 29-year-old reliever was designated for assignment by the Reds on April 17 after posting an 11.12 ERA in six appearances this season.

Bedrosian had earned his way onto the Reds' Opening Day roster with a solid showing in Spring Training that included 16 strikeouts out of 32 batters faced.

A first-round pick by the Angels in the 2010 Draft, Bedrosian has shown the A’s what he can do at his best in their division battles over the years. In seven seasons with the Halos, he recorded a 3.70 ERA across 285 games pitched with 290 strikeouts against 116 walks in 277 2/3 innings.

Bedrosian will add depth for the A's at Triple-A and could be one of the first options called upon should the need for an extra arm in the bullpen arise at some point this season.

“I think he can help us,” Melvin said. “He’s a guy that, a couple of years ago, really gave us a hard time. He’s fallen on some hard times a little bit. But from my understanding, his velocity is still good and he’s always had a sharp slider. It’s nice to have that guy in our pocket if need be.”