Scribner ready for opportunity with A's

OAKLAND -- New A's callup Evan Scribner didn't exactly set the world on fire in his one previous stint in the big leagues, recording a 7.07 ERA over 14 innings with the Padres last season. But after a successful stint with Triple-A Sacramento, and with his health restored, the pitcher feels like he's more prepared for the Majors this time around.

Scribner, brought up by Oakland on Wednesday after reliever Andrew Carignan was lost for the year with a right elbow sprain, said on Thursday that he wasn't expecting a promotion anytime soon, but Carignan's injury changed that.

The right-hander blamed his struggles in San Diego last season on a sore pitching arm that had been bothering him all year. To make matters worse, Scribner then partially tore a lat muscle in his back in July. But he's come all the way back from his health issues, posting a 3.31 ERA and striking out 35 batters in 32 2/3 innings for Sacramento.

A's manager Bob Melvin said Scribner's ability to go long was the main factor in his callup.

"Right now, with some of our younger starters, we're kind of limiting them a little bit, not getting them too much over 100 pitches," Melvin said. "I think it's nice we have some length. He's closed games down there, he's pitched a couple innings. We saw in Spring Training, he pitched well for us, and I think he can give us a versatile guy.

"Based on what we heard from our Triple-A coaches and managers, he was the one who was ready and suited to help us out right now."

Other bullpen callups this season, including Carignan and right-hander Graham Godfrey, haven't been able to make a lasting mark in the big leagues. But given that Carignan is now out for the season, Scribner has an opportunity to convince the A's brass that he should be up here for good.

"If you do well, and you give them a reason to keep you around, then you don't give them a reason to send you back," Scribner said. "It's always going to be a good opportunity. You just have to take advantage of it."