A's bring in Durazo, Thompson on minor league deals

OAKLAND, Calif. -- First baseman Erubiel Durazo and left-hander Derek Thompson agreed to minor league contracts with the Oakland Athletics on Thursday and will be invited to spring training.

Durazo last played in the majors for Oakland in 2005, when he hit .237 with four homers and 16 RBI in 41 games before being sidelined following ligament replacement surgery on his left elbow in July. Durazo's best season was the previous year with the A's when he batted .321 with 22 homers and 88 RBI.

Durazo batting a .286 with five homes and 25 RBI in 58 games last season for the Triple-A affiliates of the New York Yankees, Texas and Minnesota.

Thompson did not pitch last season as he recovered from reconstructive elbow surgery. He pitched in four games for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2005 before the injury.

Oakland hired Ty Waller as the club's first-base coach next season. Waller spent last season on San Diego's coaching staff.

The A's also announced that left-handed pitcher Dallas Braden; right-handed pitchers Mike Mitchell, Connor Robertson and Kaz Tadano; catchers John Baker and Kurt Suzuki; infielders Daric Barton and Kevin Melillo; and outfielder Travis Buck will be invited to the major league spring training camp.

Left-hander Erasmo Ramirez, infielder J.J. Furmaniak and outfielder Vince Faison, who were signed earlier in the offseason, will also get invitations.