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OAKLAND, Calif. -- The Oakland Athletics claimed
right-hander Jerome Williams off waivers from the Chicago Cubs on
Tuesday, though he wasn't scheduled to join the major league roster
this season. The A's have been interested in Williams for several years,
since he broke into the majors with the San Francisco Giants at age
21 in April 2003. Williams was a first-round pick by the Giants,
39th overall, in the 1999 draft. "He's a kid who was in the big leagues at 21," Oakland
assistant general manager David Forst said. "He has struggled. We
saw him in July and his velocity was 90 (mph). Maybe he needs a
change of scenery again. He progressed to the big leagues so
quickly, we know the talent is there. We expect to see a guy who
can compete for a job come spring training." The A's also brought up infielder D'Angelo Jimenez from Triple-A
Sacramento, to give them added depth with shortstop Bobby Crosby on
the disabled list, and designated right-hander Matt Roney and
infielder Mike Rouse for assignment to clear room on the 40-man
roster. Jimenez is in his third stint with Oakland this season after
signing a minor league contract as a free agent June 23 after Texas
released him a week earlier. Jimenez was on the Rangers' opening
day roster and batted .211 with a home run and eight RBIs in 20
games. Williams, a starter with the Giants, went 0-2 with a 7.30 ERA in
five outings and two starts for the Cubs, who optioned him to
Triple-A Iowa on April 23. He went 5-7 with a 4.76 ERA in 29 games
and 16 starts there. Also Tuesday, injured right-hander Rich Harden threw from the
top of the mound for just the second time since going on the
disabled list for a second time this season June 5 with a strained
ligament in his right elbow. The A's and Harden, who won 10 games last year and 11 in '04,
are hopeful he will pitch before the end of the season. Harden was pleased with his latest on-field work. "I think it's good," he said. "Every time on the mound, every
work day I'm feeling better. It's a good sign. Every time out my
arm's feeling stronger."
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