"The A's are looking for stability in the rotation, and they're hoping it comes from a 38-year-old with a bowling-ball physique and a history of arm trouble.

Clearly the odds don't favor Bartolo Colon making a big impact at the front of the rotation. But who would have thought Colon would even be pitching in the major leagues at this point?

The 2005 A.L. Cy Young Award winner appeared in just 48 games from 2006-10 because of injuries, including elbow and shoulder problems. But he had a comeback last season with the New York Yankees, going 8-10 with a 4.00 ERA in 29 appearances (26 starts).

The A's were in serious need of rotation help after trading Trevor Cahill, Gio Gonzalez, Guillermo Moscoso and Josh Outman in the offseason, and they signed Colon to a one-year, $2 million deal.

"I didn't know if I was (ever) going to come back and pitch again (after the injuries)," Colon said through a translator Saturday after reporting to camp with the A's pitchers and catchers.

His comeback was aided by a controversial stem-cell surgery that drew more attention last season than anything he did with the Yankees."