ESPN's Jerry Crasnick reports that the Diamondbacks are discussing a two-year deal with Cliff Pennington's agent.

The two sides were $1 million apart when arbitration figures were exchanged last week, but it sounds like Arizona would prefer to buy out the shortstop's first two arbitration years. Pennington will compete with Didi Gregorius for the starting job at short this spring.

Cliff Pennington requested $2.8 million and was offered $1.8 million from the Diamondbacks when arbitration figures were exchanged Friday.

Pennington seems slated to earn somewhere in the neighborhood of $2.3 million in his debut season with the D'Backs. With the recent acquisition of Didi Gregorius, the light-hitting Pennington will have to earn the starting shortstop position this spring.

Diamondbacks acquired INFs Cliff Pennington and Yordy Cabrera from the Athletics for OF Chris Young.

Pennington solves the Diamondbacks' problem at shortstop for 2013. He's far from a strong hitter, but the 28-year-old plays good defense and should see significant offensive improvement moving from the O.Co Coliseum to Chase Field. Pennington is arbitration-eligible this winter.

Cliff Pennington went 3-for-4 with a home run and three RBI in Sunday's win over the Yankees.

A rare big day at the plate for the light-hitting infielder. Pennington's two-run blast in the second extended the A's lead to 3-0, and his RBI single in the sixth put the team ahead for good. He's now batting .219 for the season.

Athletics activated SS Cliff Pennington from the 15-day disabled list.

Pennington went 5-for-11 (.455) with three walks on his three-game rehab assignment at Triple-A Sacramento. The A's were going to have him spend a week on the farm, but he's clearly already back in the groove offensively.

Cliff Pennington's (elbow) rehab assignment could be a lengthy one.

The A's not only want to make sure Pennington is healthy, but they'd like for him to get in a groove at the plate before being activated. He's off to a good start at Triple-A Sacramento, picking up three hits in his first seven at-bats. In the meantime, the A's will continue to go with a combination of Adam Rosales, Eric Sogard and Brandon Hicks at shortstop.

Cliff Pennington (elbow) is scheduled to hit on the field Thursday.

Barring any setbacks, he will begin a minor league rehab assignment Friday with Triple-A Sacramento. The 28-year-old shortstop shouldn't need many games to get ready.

Cliff Pennington (elbow) hit off a tee Sunday for the first time since landing on the disabled list.

The A's still aren't sure on a timetable for the 28-year-old shortstop, but he's obviously getting closer. Brandon Hicks and Eric Sogard will continue to fill in.

Cliff Pennington went 2-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored on Monday, snapping an 0-for-29 skid in the process.

His last hit was a single on May 22. Like many of his teammates, Pennington has struggled mightily at the plate this season, and now owns a .196/.251/.270 batting line.

Cliff Pennington went hitless in a fourth straight game Sunday, dropping his average to .206.

Pennington has a long way to go if he's going to post a .687 OPS for the third straight season; he's at .544 right now. The A's, though, will live with the bat since he remains one of the league's top defenders at shortstop.

Cliff Pennington connected on his first home run of the season on Friday, but it wasn't nearly enough to overcome David Price and the Rays.

Pennington finished the night 1-for-4 with that solo blast off of Brandon Gomes in the ninth inning. The A's offense struggled to get anything going the entire night against David Price, and has struggled for the most part the entire season. Pennington, hitting out of the second spot in the lineup on Friday, raised his average to .224. He still has some value in deeper mixed leagues with his ability to steal bases, though his power numbers will be extremely limited.

A's shortstop Cliff Pennington has been dropped to the ninth spot in Friday's lineup vs. the Mariners.

Pennington had hit second in each of the team's first two games in Japan last week. Manager Bob Melvin said that Pennington hadn't done anything wrong to be moved down in the order, but he wants to keep him near fellow speedsters Jemile Weeks and Coco Crisp. Pay attention to this situation, as Pennington definitely loses fantasy value should this move become permanent.

Cliff Pennington (groin) feels better, but likely won't play again until Friday against the Mariners.

Pennington was pulled from Monday's Cactus League game due to left groin soreness. It's doubtful we'll see him in Wednesday's exhibition finale, but should be ready to go when the season resumes Friday.

Athletics manager Bob Melvin said that he may hold Cliff Pennington (groin) out of Tuesday's exhibition game against the Giants.

Pennington tweaked his left groin during warmups Monday and was pulled from the game early. It doesn't sound serious, but Melvin wants to see how he feels before saying he'll be in the lineup for the A's home opener Friday against the Mariners.

Cliff Pennington left Monday's Cactus League game against the Giants with left groin soreness.

The severity of the injury isn't yet known. Eric Sogard, who socked a two-run homer as his replacement, would likely start at shortstop if he needs to miss an extended period of time.

Cliff Pennington went 4-for-4 with two singles, two doubles and two RBI Thursday against the Rangers.

He also walked, reaching base in all five trips to the plate. Pennington has had a hot bat this spring, as he's now hit safely in eight straight games and sports a .464 batting mark. Let us remind you, though, that he's coming off a year where he hit just .264/.319/.369.

Cliff Pennington (oblique) is not likely to make another appearance this season.

Pennington has missed four straight games with tightness in his left oblique, and A's manager Bob Melvin is worried the shortstop could aggravate the ailment going for a ball in hole. If his season is indeed over, he'll finish with a .264/.319/.369 batting line with eight homers and 14 steals over 515 at-bats.

Cliff Pennington (oblique) is expected to return to the A's lineup before the end of the season.

Pennington was held out of Monday's lineup against the Mariners due to tightness in his left oblique. The shortstop has 14 stolen bases and eight homers on the season.

Cliff Pennington was scratched from Saturday's lineup with oblique tightness.

The move was precautionary, and Pennington is considered day-to-day. Eric Sogard will play shortstop and bat ninth.

Cliff Pennington went 4-for-5 with three RBI and a steal Thursday versus the Indians.

Incredibly enough, Pennington has been one of the game's top fantasy shortstops over the last month and a half. He has had multiple hits in six of his last eight games, and he's batting a robust .347 with 25 RBI in 41 games since the All-Star break.