January 24, 2009
Clearing the Table
The Oakland Athletics avoid arbitration buy agreeing to a one-year deal with Justin Duchscherer.
A two-time All-Star, sidelined by a strained right hip late in the season that later required arthroscopic surgery, went 10-8 with a 2.54 ERA in 22 starts for Oakland last season -- his first year as a full-time starter after spending most of his career as a setup man. He also had hip surgery in July 2007.
Healthy, Dustin shows great control, walking just one batter every four innings. His health will be a key to the success of the A's pitching staff this season.