"Many thought Ben Sheets would be gone in a trade right about now, with the deadline fast approaching. Instead, the franchise's all-time most expensive pitcher is off the roster the more predictable way for Oakland: Sheets was placed on the 15-day disabled list Saturday before the A's 10-2 victory over the White Sox.

Sheets, who missed all of last season after flexor-tendon surgery, said his elbow has swelled far more than usual his past few starts. When asked if the injury might be season-ending, he said, "It's possible. I don't know. I don't like the fact it's so swollen. It's been so up and down the last two weeks, so up and down all year."

Sheets will visit his own orthopedist, Dr. Keith Meister, in Dallas on Tuesday. He already has been checked by A's doctors, and general manager Billy Beane said the team will wait to disclose a diagnosis until Sheets gets a second opinion.

"We wouldn't want to speculate," Beane said. "We'll have a more definitive diagnosis after that."

The right-hander said his elbow ligament is sound, and that the problem is probably with his repaired flexor tendon; he noted that Jason Jennings required two flexor tendon surgeries. The A's have had numerous elbow ligament injuries in the past season and a half, with Joey Devine and Josh Outman among those having Tommy John surgery.

Today's starter, Dallas Braden, is coming back from elbow tendinitis, and Brett Anderson, who will make one more rehab start today for Triple-A Sacramento and then start at Chicago on Friday, has spent two stints on the DL this year with elbow issues."