Back from Japan, A's announce setback for Braden

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Sacramento --

In the latest episode of "As the Rotation Turns," one A's pitcher won a job and was named the No. 3 starter. Another might have ruined his candidacy. A third was shelved again and won't join the mix any time soon.

After Saturday night's rain-shortened 9-0 victory over Triple-A Sacramento, manager Bob Melvin named lefty Tommy Milone the No. 3 starter behind Brandon McCarthy and Bartolo Colon. Milone justified the decision with six perfect innings, collecting six strikeouts and showing no signs of jet lag after the team returned from Tokyo on Thursday.

Reliever Andrew Carignan walked his second batter, Gary Green, ending the perfect-game bid. The no-hitter remained intact when the game was called after seven innings.

"It's an honor," Milone said of his new post; he'll start April 9 against the Royals. "Obviously, that's what I've been working toward this whole time, this whole spring. I'm excited to get going."

On the flip side, Jarrod Parker hurt his rotation chances. Pitching for Sacramento, Parker surrendered six runs (three earned) on two hits and four walks. He walked his first two batters and plunked Kurt Suzuki (left arm), who exited after the half-inning for precautionary reasons. All three runners scored when center fielder Grant Green dropped Josh Reddick's two-out flyball.

In the second inning, Parker surrendered a three-run homer to Coco Crisp.

Oakland Athletics' Dallas Braden during a spring training baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels Monday, March 5, 2012, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) Oakland Athletics' Dallas Braden during a spring training baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels Monday, March 5, 2012, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) Photo: Darron Cummings, Associated Press Photo: Darron Cummings, Associated Press Image 1 of / 8 Caption Close Back from Japan, A's announce setback for Braden 1 / 8 Back to Gallery

Despite Parker's struggles, Melvin didn't rule him out of the rotation, but Graham Godfrey could clinch the final spot with a solid showing Monday against the Giants. Tyson Ross, the projected fourth starter, faces the Giants on Tuesday.

"I don't know how it's all going to line up, but that's the way it is as we speak," Melvin said.

Dallas Braden, who was expected to join the rotation in early May, had a setback in his rehab and sustained a strained shoulder. His throwing program was shut down, and Melvin said of an early May return, "Actually, we're on hold with that right now."

Melvin said the setback occurred when Braden was playing catch a day after his last bullpen session, just before the A's left for Japan on March 22, though the club made no public mention of it until Saturday.

Assistant general manager David Forst said the A's won't know the extent of the injury until they hear from doctors. Braden's shoulder capsule surgery was in May. It was similar to Johan Santana's, which was performed eight months earlier. Only now is Santana ready to return to the majors as the Mets' Opening Day pitcher.

Manny Ramirez was a Sacramento no-show because of an injured left hamstring that will shelve him through the Bay Bridge Series. He was hurt in Arizona after the A's left for Japan and is expected to return to the field when extended spring training games begin on April 9.