Dallas Braden left Thursday's game against the Yankees with cramps.

Insert punchline here. More specifically, he experienced some cramping due to the heat. We think he'll be fine for his next start. Braden allowed one run over five innings while striking out four, walking two and hitting a batter.

Dallas Braden left Thursday's game in the sixth inning with an apparent injury.

Dallas Braden yielded two runs -- one earned -- and three hits over seven innings Tuesday in a defeat of the Jays.

Braden won for the fourth time in his last five starts. Braden has now pitched 136 innings this season and posted an 86/26 K/BB ratio. That's a nice improvement from last year, when he came in at 81/42 in 136 2/3 innings.

Dallas Braden went the distance Wednesday, pitching a four-hitter as the A's topped the Mariners 5-1.

It was smooth sailing all of the way through for Braden. He didn't allow any extra-base hits, and thanks in part to three double plays, he was forced to throw just 104 pitches. He's 3-1 with a 2.83 ERA in five starts since coming off the disabled list last month.

Dallas Braden twirled a complete game Saturday as the A's nabbed 6-2 victory over the White Sox.

Braden didn't have his best stuff, but he worked in and out of jams and allowed only two runs over his complete game effort. He struck out five batters against one walk and now stands 6-7 on the year with a 3.63 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP. The lefty will get the Rangers next week.

Dallas Braden was charged with three runs in 6 1/3 innings but still picked up a win against the White Sox today.

Braden had allowed just one run through six innings, but two singles in the first three batters of the seventh chased him from the game. Reliever Jeremy Blevins then allowed both runners to score. Overall Braden struck out five, walked two, and gave up five hits. He'll face the White Sox again next time out.

Dallas Braden will get the ball on Sunday for the A's.

The team hadn't made up its mind whether it would be Braden, Ben Sheets or Brett Anderson that would take the hill. It will be Braden, who allowed four runs (one earned) over 4 2/3 innings Tuesday in his return from the DL.

Making his return from the DL, Dallas Braden yielded four runs -- one earned -- and 10 hits in 4 2/3 innings Tuesday against the Red Sox.

Braden was far from perfect tonight, and it could have easily been ruled that all four runs against him were earned. He was also fortunate in the fifth, as Ross Wolf bailed him out of a jam after taking over with two on and two out. Question marks will remain about Braden's elbow until he turns in a couple of strong outings in a row.

Athletics activated RHP Dallas Braden from the 15-day disabled list.

As expected, he will make the start against the Red Sox on Tuesday night. Braden has been on the disabled list since June 23 due to left elbow soreness. He returns to a 3.83 ERA and 1.19 WHIP over 13 starts.

Dallas Braden (elbow) has officially been named Tuesday's starter.

"Unless there's a setback, he's pitching Tuesday," manager Bob Geren said. "I don't anticipate a setback. His big test was his rehab start. He's thrown twice since that game and he's felt great both times." Braden hasn't pitched since June 22 due to elbow problems.

Athletics manager Bob Geren said that Dallas Braden (elbow) is on track to return from the disabled list next Tuesday against the Red Sox.

Braden gave up three runs over four innings in a rehab start with Single-A Stockton on Thursday night. He actually went out for a fifth inning, but was pulled after giving up back-to-back solo home runs. He hasn't made a start since June 22 due to elbow soreness.

Dallas Braden (elbow) gave up three runs over four-plus innings in his first minor league rehab start with Single-A Stockton on Thursday.

Braden gave up seven hits, including back-to-back home runs before being pulled from the game in the fifth inning. The Stockton native threw a total of 76 pitches, striking out four and walking just one. He remains on track to return from the DL against the Red Sox next week.

Dallas Braden (elbow) is scheduled to make a minor league rehab start at Single-A Stockton on Thursday.

If all goes well, he should be cleared to return to the Oakland rotation for a home start July 20 against the Red Sox. Braden has been on the 15-day disabled list since early July with pain in his pitching elbow. He is 4-7 this season with a 3.83 ERA, a 1.19 WHIP and 58 strikeouts in 94 innings.

Dallas Braden (elbow) might begin a rehab assignment over the All-Star break.

He could also just throw a simulated game during the break. Either way, it seems that, barring any setbacks, the left-hander should be ready to return to the rotation early in the second half.

Dallas Braden (elbow) threw from 140 feet Friday and "felt great," according to Athletics manager Bob Geren.

He's expected to threw a side session off flat ground on Saturday. Like Brett Anderson, Braden could return as soon as the first time through the starting rotation after the All-Star break.

Dallas Braden (elbow) played catch on Tuesday.

Braden described the session as "fastball catch," suggesting that he isn't throwing any of his secondary pitches yet. He believes he will be ready to return from the disabled list on either July 19 or July 20.

Athletics placed LHP Dallas Braden on the 15-day disabled list.

Braden has been scratched from his last two starts with soreness in his pitching elbow. He'll take the All-Star break to get everything calmed down and hopefully return later this month. Clayton Mortensen has been recalled from Triple-A Sacramento to fill in for Braden on Saturday.

Dallas Braden has been scratched from his schedule start Saturday due to elbow soreness.

Expect Braden to be shut down until after the All-Star break. Clayton Mortensen will replace him on the mound tomorrow.

Dallas Braden (elbow) threw a successful bullpen session Thursday.

Braden tossed between 20 and 25 pitches and told the San Francisco Chronicle's Susan Slusser afterward that he felt "ultimately pain free." Scratched from a start on Tuesday, he's in line to take the mound Saturday.

Dallas Braden acknowledged that he is "concerned" about his ailing left elbow.

"When you throw baseballs for a living, any time you can't do it, it's scary," said Braden. According to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle, Braden doesn't sound "enormously optimistic" about starting on Saturday, as A's manager Bob Geren had suggested on Tuesday afternoon.