Worth noting

• Manager Bob Melvin gave Alberto Callaspo Wednesday night off to use Seth Smith at designated hitter. The A's skipper said it was a decision based mainly on matchups -- Smith was 6-for-13 with a home run in his career against Twins starter Mike Pelfrey, while Callaspo was 0-for-6. Melvin also likes having the switch-hitting Callaspo available for pinch-hitting duties.

• After taking batting practice with the team Tuesday for the first time since returning from the disabled list, right fielder Josh Reddick is medically cleared to play. But Melvin said he might have a hard time breaking into the lineup after an extended absence and no Minor League rehab stint.

"If that opportunity presents itself, whether it's something in-game or we feel like there's a really good matchup for him to go out there and start, it'll be based on how he does, which is just how it is in baseball," Melvin said. "This time of year with [18] games left, it's tough to just say, 'All right, work your way back into it.' And he understands that."

• With Twins outfielder Josh Willingham 15-for-37 with seven home runs against the A's since the start of the 2012 season, Melvin said it was time to adjust their approach against the former Oakland slugger. But Melvin knows that even a proper adjustment won't make up for a pitcher missing his spot.

"Over the course of the last couple of years, every mistake we've made, he's hit," Melvin said. "And that was the case again [Tuesday] night. We just didn't make good pitches to him."