Mike Piazza could be a nice addition for a contender looking for a bat before Friday's deadline to set playoff rosters.

The Dodgers claimed right-hander Esteban Loaiza off waivers from the Athletics on Wednesday, assuming nearly $8.

Rich Harden is feeling good, he's throwing off a mound, and he's not putting any timetable on his return, nor is he following a strict schedule of rehab.

Esteban Loaiza is due $7 million in 2008, the final year of his three-year, $21 million contract.

The A's on Monday placed outfielder Travis Buck on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to August 18, with a strained left hamstring.

Mark Kotsay, who missed the first two months of the season following lower back surgery, on Friday was placed on the 15-day disabled list by the Athletics with lower back spasms.

The A's acquired infielder Jack Hannahan from the Tigers in a minor league trade, and Hannahan joined the big league team to help fill in while six-time Gold Glove third baseman Eric Chavez is injured.

According to one source, the Mets are not interested in acquiring Mike Piazza who is on the market and reportedly has cleared waivers.

Several reports in recent days said A's outfielder Shannon Stewart had been claimed off waivers by the Chicago Cubs.

Mark down Jack Cust as one of the most pleasant surprises of the season.

Shannon Stewart was claimed off waivers by the Cubs, according to a high-placed major-league source.

In the first week after the non-waiver trade deadline, Oakland A’s designated hitter Mike Piazza and Baltimore Orioles shortstop Miguel Tejada were reportedly among the players whose names were placed on the waiver wire.

Baltimore's Miguel Tejada and Oakland's Mike Piazza, two major stars mentioned in trade rumors during the summer, hit the waiver wire in the last week -- and one is now in a position to be dealt in August, while the other is not.

Perhaps this is what happens when a team performs below expectations, but all is not sweetness and light around the A's these days.

The Athletics on Saturday lost the services of Joe Kennedy, who was claimed off waivers by the Diamondbacks.

Athletics third baseman Eric Chavez was placed on the 15-day disabled list with lower back spasms, the team announced Friday.

Mike Piazza could still be moved as a waiver deal in August, with the Angels being the biggest possibility.