Posted By Jeff Fletcher on March 23, 2009 9:04 am

A big news morning around A’s camp today. The top headline is that Vin Mazzaro, who not long ago seemed like a lock for the rotation, was sent down. That’ll happen when you give up 10 runs in two games.

“It was a good experience,” Mazzaro said. “I learned a lot up here. I’ll take that down to minor league camp and work on stuff so I can get my ass back up here.”

Bob Geren said Mazzaro was told to work on his command. (I believe that’s exactly the same thing that has been told to every pitcher in the history of baseball who was sent to the minors.)

“His attitude was great,” Geren said. “He said he’s going to go down and force our hand. I told him there are two ways to get back up: be going good when someone gets hurt or be doing so good that you force our hand. I told him to be one of those guys.”

Brett Anderson and Trevor Cahill are still here. At the moment I’m thinking Anderson looks like the No. 5 starter and Cahill is going to Sacramento. Of course, things change quickly. (Ask Vin Mazzaro.)

In other news, Justin Duchscherer is supposed to throw a 40-pitch bullpen session this morning, then pitch in a minor league game on Thursday. It would be Duchscherer’s first game of any sort this spring.

Eric Chavez is scheduled to play defense only in a minor league game on Tuesday. Joey Devine will pitch in that game. It’ll be Devine’s first game since hurting his elbow.

Landon Powell has a sore intercostal muscle. He was hurt on a throw in Saturday’s split-squad game at Peoria. He’s day to day.

Finally, Brad Ziegler is supposed to be back from the WBC this afternoon, and he might even sneak into today’s game. If not, he’ll definitely pitch on Tuesday night.

Oh, pitchers Henry Rodriguez and Andrew Carignan and outfielder Matt Carson were also sent down this morning.