Worth noting

• Former A's prospect Brett Wallace was released by the Astros on Wednesday. Wallace was part of Oakland's haul in the trade that sent Matt Holliday to the Cardinals in 2009. The A's traded Wallace to Toronto for Michael Taylor later that year and the Blue Jays traded him to Houston in 2010.

• Outfielder Craig Gentry, who is dealing with a lower back strain, took 50 swings off the tee on Tuesday and participated in the team's on-field workout Wednesday morning. There is no timetable for his return to game action.