Mark Ellis went hitless in a third straight game Friday, dropping his average back down to .181.

With just four walks, six RBI and seven runs scored in 127 at-bats, Ellis has been even worse than the .181 average suggests. He's such a fine defender that the A's figure to give him a few more weeks to find his way. However, he'd hardly be the first 33-year-old second baseman to suddenly lose it.

Mark Ellis returned to action on Sunday May 1.

Mark Ellis (flu) said he felt better after Saturday's game and expects to return to the lineup Sunday.

Ellis was a late scratch from Saturday's lineup due to being under the weather. It appears it will only knock him out for one game.

Mark Ellis was a late scratch from Saturday's lineup due to flu-like symptoms.

He should be back in a day or two. Andy LaRoche is now playing second base, with Kevin Kouzmanoff starting at third.

Mark Ellis went 0-for-4 on Monday and is an 2-for-21 slump over the last five games.

Ellis is hitting .207 with just four runs scored and five RBI after 23 games. The A's might want to try moving him up to the No. 2 spot in the order in an effort to get him jumpstarted. Daric Barton hasn't done a whole lot to justify his presence in that spot.

Mark Ellis returned to action on Friday April 8.

Mark Ellis (inner-ear infection) is in Oakland's Friday afternoon lineup against the Twins.

He did not start on Thursday, but did pick up a pinch hit. You can start him as your normally would in AL-only leagues.

Mark Ellis has been diagnosed with an inner ear infection and prescribed antibiotics.

Doctors have cleared Ellis to fly on the team plane and he should be fine in a couple of days. The second baseman is 4-for-19 with four RBI so far this season.

Updating a previous item, Mark Ellis (ear) will see a doctor in Toronto on Thursday.

Ellis is dealing with an inner ear issue that is causing some dizziness, so there's a chance he might not be able to fly with the team to Minnesota tonight. We should know more about his status later in the day. Andy LaRoche will fill in at second base for now.

Mark Ellis is not in the Athletics' starting lineup for Thursday's game against the Blue Jays.

His 1000th career game will have to wait for another day. Andy LaRoche will start at second base and bat eighth against left-hander Ricky Romero.

Mark Ellis has a 16-game hitting streak dating back to last season.

Not a bad little stretch for the Oakland second baseman. Ellis battled through Opening Day calf issues and is now 3-for-10 with three RBI to open the regular season.

Mark Ellis has denied a report that he was scratched Tuesday due to calf tightness, saying that he just needed a day off.

Whatever. The point is it's not a major concern and he is expected to be in the lineup on Opening Day.

According to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle, Athletics assistant general manager David Forst said that the team is open to exploring a contract extension for Mark Ellis "at a later date."

The Athletics already exercised the $6 million option on Ellis' contract for next season, but it sounds like they are open to keeping him around even longer. With the A's cutting ties with Eric Chavez on Wednesday, Ellis is already the longest-tenured player on the team.

Athletics exercised 2B Mark Ellis' $6 million option for 2011.

Like the decision on Coco Crisp's option, this was an expected move. Ellis, 33, batted .291/.358/.381 with five home runs and 49 RBI this past season. He probably wouldn't make $6 million anywhere else, but the A's value the veteran's defensive contributions and leadership ability.

According to ESPN.com's Buster Olney, the A's are expected to exercise Mark Ellis' $6 million club option for 2011.

Ellis wouldn't stand a chance of netting that kind of salary on the open market, but the A's don't want to lose him and are apparently willing to overpay the 33-year-old in order to keep him around for another year. He batted just .291/.358/.381 this season with five homers in 436 at-bats.

According to the San Jose Mercury News, Mark Ellis is expected to engage in contract discussions with the A's next week.

Ellis has a $6 million option for 2011 but hasn't played nearly well enough to deserve that amount of salary in this economy. He was given a standing ovation when he walked off the field near the end of Sunday's game, an honor usually bestowed on players who are likely to depart. The 33-year-old has hit .281/.352/.363 with four homers and 42 RBI in 405 at-bats this season.

Mark Ellis reached base in all five trips to the plate, including a two-run homer, in the Athletics' 6-2 win over the Twins.

Ellis walked twice, doubled, and singled in addition to taking Twins starter Francisco Liriano deep. The homer was just the fourth of the season in 110 games for Ellis, and since he's kicked in just five steals, 40 runs, and 42 RBI he's barely been of use in even deep AL-only formats. Ellis is likely to have a $6 million option bought out for $500,000 this winter and may well need to find a new home.

Mark Ellis is unlikely to return to the Athletics next season.

Ellis, who has been with the Athletics since 2002, is currently in the final year of a two-year, $11 million contract. The A's hold a $6 million option on him for next season, but they are likely to buy him out for $500,000. "They're going to do what they want to do," said Ellis. "Obviously I like it here. This is where I want to be. I just do what I can to help the team win, and that stuff will work itself out." The 33-year-old Ellis has a modest .268/.339/.345 batting line this season.

Mark Ellis doubled three times, drove in three runs and stole a base Wednesday versus the Mariners.

It's not often that Ellis has filled up the box score this season, but he had a big game today. He entered with just 12 extra-base hits and 27 RBI in 254 at-bats on the season. He was hitting .203/.291/.230 since the All-Star break.

Mark Ellis collected a two-run single in a win over the Indians on Friday night.

Ellis is now batting .287 with a .352 on-base percentage, which is excellent, but he has just two home runs in 157 at-bats this season, damaging his overall value. It's no fluke, either, as he is simply hitting less flyballs than in the past. He usually makes for a pretty sneaky option in AL-only leagues, but he has just two stolen bases all season, possibly as a result of a hamstring injury earlier this season.