Anderson will finish '13 in A's bullpen

OAKLAND -- For weeks, the A's kept open the possibility of stretching out Brett Anderson as a starter again. Now it's no longer one.

"I think part of that was in case one or two guys didn't throw the ball well for a period of time," manager Bob Melvin said. "But our starters are throwing the ball pretty well. So at this point, he looks to just be a bullpen guy."

Before Jarrod Parker allowed eight runs in a rare loss to the Angels on Monday night, A's starters had allowed nine runs total over the club's previous eight games. They entered Tuesday with a 2.57 ERA over the last 19 contests.

Anderson, meanwhile, has made five relief appearances since coming off the disabled list Aug. 28, recording three three-inning saves along the way. He last pitched Friday in Texas but was around for only two batters before exiting with back spasms. On Monday, he was finally deemed available again, but time's simply running out for him to enter the playoffs as a starting option.

"He is a starter. He wants to start. He will start again," said Melvin. "But based on the timetable and how many outings he's had, it would be difficult to get him even up to five innings at this point."