MLB Notes: Piazza nearing return to A's

Jun/18/07 09:32 AM Filed in: Mike Piazza
Mike Piazza has no plans of interfering with Oakland's winning ways of late when he gets back in the lineup.
   
''It seems like we're playing well,'' Piazza said Saturday. ''I want to slide back on the bus.''

And the Athletics will be happy to have him aboard.

Piazza is slated to begin a rehab assignment today with Triple-A Sacramento, the last big step for the 38-year-old designated hitter before he rejoins the A's after being sidelined since May 3 with a sprained right shoulder. He missed his 40th game Saturday night, when the A's played the middle game of their interleague series against St. Louis.

Piazza, playing in the American League and as a DH for the first time after 15 seasons as a catcher, is batting .280 with one home run and four RBIs in just 25 games so far in 2007.

(sltrib.com)