Worth noting

• Melvin says he has spoken with Detroit's Jim Leyland, manager of the American League squad for this year's All-Star Game, multiple times about A's candidates, including pitchers Bartolo Colon and Grant Balfour, along with third baseman Josh Donaldson.

"Of course I'm biased," Melvin said. "I've got four or five guys that I talk about. That's probably unrealistic. But, I would love to see a position player, because I know it's been awhile for that."

Catcher Ramon Hernandez was the last A's position player to make the All-Star team in 2003.