If Brett Anderson (oblique) is unable to make his next start, Travis Blackley would take his spot in the rotation. He would get the ball Saturday in New York, pushing Dan Straily back to Monday in Texas. Blackley's name can probably be written down in ink, as Anderson will almost certainly miss at least one start and likely more. He's put up a 3.65 ERA and 1.14 WHIP over 25 games -- 12 starts -- this season.

Travis Blackley will start Wednesday against the Indians. That was already the assumption, but it's now official. This is strictly a spot-start situation, as the A's need somebody to fill in for Bartolo Colon. Blackley could stick if he pitches well, but Dan Straily or A.J. Griffin (shoulder) eventually figure to get a shot.

Travis Blackley is available out of the bullpen Saturday. This doesn't necessarily rule him out for a spot start Wednesday, but it's a sign A.J. Griffin (shoulder) could be cleared to return to the starting rotation. Griffin will either make another rehab start with Triple-A Sacramento on Monday or be activated from the disabled list.

Travis Blackley is an option to start next Wednesday against the Indians. The Athletics optioned Tyson Ross to the minors after Thursday's game and Dan Straily can't return from Triple-A Sacramento until August 30, so all signs are pointing to Blackley. It's possible he could be needed out of the bullpen in the next couple of days, so the A's will wait before making it official.

Travis Blackley struggled in a spot start against the White Sox on Saturday, allowing five runs on six hits over five frames. Blackley walked one and piled up six strikeouts. Kevin Youkilis smashed a two-run homer in the fifth inning, pulling the Sox to within 6-5 and capping the damage against him. While Blackley has had some success in the rotation this season, he'll return to a long relief role in the bullpen as the A's are stocked with depth in the rotation and still have Brett Anderson and A.J. Griffin likely to return in the coming weeks.

Travis Blackley is expected to start Saturday against the White Sox. The A's had an off-day on Thursday and have another one on Monday, so this will give rookies Jarrod Parker and Tommy Milone some extra rest. Blackley has a 3.30 ERA and 49/18 K/BB ratio over 73 2/3 innings this season and makes for a decent option in AL-only leagues.

Travis Blackley returned to action on Saturday July 7.

Travis Blackley will have his next start pushed back due to back stiffness. He had been scheduled to go Saturday, but he'll now make his next start after the All-Star break. The A's will go with Tommy Milone on Friday, Jarrod Parker on Saturday and Bartolo Colon on Sunday against the Mariners.

Travis Blackley held the Rangers to one run in seven innings to pick up a victory on Sunday evening. Blackley certainly won't wow anyone with his stuff, but he's not walking anyone and he helped his cause by picking off both Elvis Andrus and Yorvit Torrealba tonight. He gets the Mariners in his final start before the break and he'll probably face the Twins immediately afterwards, so he's worth trying in leagues in which he's still available.

Travis Blackley wasn't involved in the decision after limiting the Mariners to two runs and five hits in seven innings on Tuesday. He struck out three and walked one. Blackley, once a big-time prospect for the opposing Mariners, bounced around the minors for years before the A's claimed him off waivers in May. He has a 3.05 ERA in six starts and two relief appearances since, so it looks like he's going to hang around for a while. AL-only leaguers should snatch him up if they haven't already done so.