Cliff Pennington had a three-run homer and an RBI double Thursday against the Yankees.

After a dreadful first half, Pennington has hit .328 with three homers and 19 RBI in 34 games since the All-Star break. He hit .235 with three homers and 23 RBI in 88 games before the break.

Cliff Pennington returned to action on Friday August 5.

Cliff Pennington (Bell's palsy) and David DeJesus (thumb) are back in the Athletics lineup Friday.

As expected. Pennington hasn't played since leaving Monday's game with what turned out to be Bell's palsy, but he has the condition under control after taking some medication. DeJesus was close to being able to play Wednesday, but with the A's being idle Thursday, manager Bob Melvin decided to hold the outfielder out one more game.

Cliff Pennington (Bell's palsy) is likely to return to the Athletics' starting lineup Friday against the Rays.

Pennington was diagnosed with Bell's palsy after leaving Monday's game, a condition which causes partial facial paralysis. He was given medication and resumed baseball activities Tuesday. While he felt well enough to play Wednesday, the A's will hold him out until at least Friday as a precaution.

Cliff Pennington (Bell's palsy) could possibly be available to play Tuesday but likely will be held out until Thursday.

Pennington was recently diagnosed with Bell's palsy, which causes partial facial paralysis. He slept Monday night with his eye taped shut and woke up feeling "night and day." Evidently the medication he was given has worked.

Cliff Pennington left Monday's game in the sixth inning due to Bell's palsy.

Bell's palsy is a condition which causes partial facial paralysis. A's manager Bob Melvin said that Pennington was having trouble closing his eyes during the game. It sounds scary, but the 27-year-old shortstop was given medication and is currently listed as day-to-day.

Cliff Pennington went 3-for-3 with a walk, a double, a run scored and an RBI in a win Tuesday over the Rays.

The 27-year-old is now riding an eight-game hitting streak, five of which were multi-hit games, boosting his average from .237 to .264. We're still concerned about the disappearance of his speed -- he had 29 steals in 34 attempts last year, but he's swiped a disappointing six bags this season while getting caught nine times -- but at least his bat is heating up.

Cliff Pennington went 2-for-2 with two walks and a two-run homer in a win Monday over the Rays.

He's now riding a seven-game hitting streak. Pennington gained some fantasy attention last year with his 29 steals in 34 attempts, but he's swiped a disappointing six bags this year while getting caught nine times. The 27-year-old is hitting just .255/.305/.344 in 350 plate appearances.

Cliff Pennington singled in a run and homered in two more in Friday's loss to the Yankees.

Pennington's RBI were sandwiched around 14 runs scored by the Yankees, but it's hardly his fault the A's pitchers didn't show up tonight. The shortstop hasn't done much at the plate this year, batting just .250 with four bombs and 27 RBI and, most disappointingly, has stolen only six bases.

Cliff Pennington has just six stolen bases in 12 attempts so far this season.

Pennington gained some fantasy attention last year with his 29 swipes in 34 attempts, but he's been far less effective in 2011 and doesn't do enough at the plate to warrant ownership in mixed leagues. The 27-year-old is hitting just .256/.309/.338 in 261 plate appearances.

Hitting out of the two-hole on Friday evening, Cliff Pennington went 3-for-5 with two doubles, an RBI and run scored in Oakland's win over the White Sox.

New A's manager Bob Melvin, who said earlier on Friday that he is planning to give Pennington an extended look in the two spot, may be on to something. Freed from nine-hole purgatory, Pennington could be an intriguing flier in deeper mixed leagues.

Cliff Pennington went 2-for-3 with two-run homer and a steal Saturday versus the Mariners.

Pennington has been utilized strictly as a No. 9 hitter this season and deservedly so, but as weak as the A's are offensively, a little hot streak might get him moved up. As is, he has just five runs scored and six RBI through 20 games.

Updating a previous item, Cliff Pennington (infected sweat gland) is back in the starting lineup for Wednesday's game against the White Sox.

Pennington missed consecutive starts with an infected sweat gland under his right arm. He'll bat ninth against John Danks.

Cliff Pennington (infected sweat gland) believes he will return to the starting lineup Wednesday.

Andy LaRoche started the last two games at shortstop while Pennington dealt with an infected sweat gland under his right arm. Pennington needed the sweat gland drained, but it sounds like he's been cleared to return.

Cliff Pennington is not in the Athletics' lineup Tuesday against the Blue Jays.

Andy LaRoche will make his first major league start against third base, batting ninth against left-hander Jo-Jo Reyes. Pennington will be back in the lineup Wednesday.

Cliff Pennington (shoulder) batted in a simulated game Monday morning in A's camp.

Pennington has been taking it easy in camp so far because his shoulder was operated on in October. He should begin seeing regular at-bats in spring games this week and will be just fine by Opening Day.

Cliff Pennington (shoulder) will make his spring debut on Sunday.

Pennington underwent surgery on his left shoulder in October and the A's brought him along slowly thus far in spring training. A's skipper Bob Geren said he would rather have Pennington swing from the left side because his right-handed swing hasn't completely recovered from the surgery yet. Pennington remains on track to be ready for Opening Day.

Cliff Pennington (shoulder) is scheduled to make his spring debut on Sunday.

Pennington underwent surgery on his left shoulder in October, so the A's have brought him along slowly in the early days of spring training. He remains on track to be ready for Opening Day.

Cliff Pennington (shoulder) is now swinging from both sides of the plate.

Good news. Pennington had surgery on his right shoulder in October and is expected to miss the first week or so of Cactus League schedule, but the A's are optimistic he'll be ready for Opening Day. The 26-year-old shortstop batted .250/.319/.368 with six homers, 46 RBI and 29 steals in 34 attempts last season. His fantasy value is mostly based on his speed, but he's a fine choice in AL-only leagues and even some deeper mixed formats.

Cliff Pennington (shoulder) is expected to be ready by the second week of spring games.

A's manager Bob Geren revealed that bit of good news on Tuesday in spring camp. Pennington will only be a week behind the other Oakland position players and should be able to catch up easily by the opening of the regular season. The 26-year-old shortstop is making his way back from left shoulder surgery.