Oakland Athletics

BaseballNew York Mets -- Signed P Tom Filer, P Mauro Gozzo, P Brandy Vann, C Dann Bilardello, C Scott Bradley, C Andy Dziadkowiec, C Javier Gonzalez, IF Steve Springer and OF Wayne Housie and Bert Hunter.Oakland Athletics -- Signed P Kirk Dressendorfer to a one-year contract.Chunichi Dragons (Japan League) -- Signed 3B Brook Jacoby to a one-year contract.BasketballCharlotte Hornets -- Placed C Mike Gminski on the injured list.CollegesLouisiana State -- Named Neil Callaway offensive line coach.

BASEBALL American League* OAKLAND ATHLETICS -- Named Reggie Jackson assistant to the president for community affairs.National League* HOUSTON ASTROS -- Agreed to terms with Craig Biggio, catcher, on a one-year contract.* PITTSBURGH PIRATES -- Agreed to terms with Doug Drabek, pitcher, on a one-year contract.* ST. LOUIS CARDINALS -- Agreed to terms with Bob Tewksbury, pitcher, on a one-year contract.BASKETBALL National Basketball Association* CHARLOTTE HORNETS -- Signed Cedric Hunter, guard, to a 10-day contract.

BaseballBaltimore Orioles -- Acquired P Alan Mills (1-1, 4.41 ERA) from the Yankees for two minor-leaguers to be named. Designated P Francisco de la Rosa (4.50 ERA in 4 IP) for assignment. Agreed to terms with C Chris Hoiles (.243, 11 HRs, 31 RBI) on a one-year contract.Chicago White Sox -- Agreed to terms with 3B Robin Ventura (.284, 23 HRs, 100 RBI) on a two-year contract.New York Mets -- Agreed to terms with C Todd Hundley (.133 in 60 AB), P Steve Rosenberg (1-1, 6.94 with the Padres), P Pete Schourek (5-4, 4.27)

Not only did the Orioles' 5-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays drop them a game behind the Yankees for first place in the American League East, but the O's also lost a game on the Oakland Athletics in the AL wild-card race. The A's clinched their first playoff spot since 2006 with a 4-3 win over the Texas Rangers, tying the Orioles for the No. 1 wild-card spot with identical 92-68 records. Like the Orioles, the A's still have a shot at their respective division crown. Oakland enters the second-to-last game of the regular season one game behind the division-leading Rangers as the two teams play head to head in the final two games of the season.

Orioles -- Optioned P William Percibal to Single-A High Desert. Optioned OF Mark Smith to Triple-A Rochester. Returned P Russell Brock, a Rule V draftee, to the Oakland Athletics.California Angels -- Agreed to terms with P Russ Springer, P Andrew Lorraine, P Phil Leftwich, P Brian Anderson, P Mike Butcher, P Troy Percival, C Jorge Fabregas, C Chris Turner and C Mark Dalesandro. Optioned P Mark Holzemer and P Erik Bennett to Triple-A Vancouver.Cincinnati Reds -- Placed P Mike Jackson on the 15-day disabled list with shoulder problems.

BaseballOrioles -- Agreed to terms with OF Mike Devereaux and IF Steve Scarsone on one-year contracts. Agreed to terms with C Rey Palacios on a minor-league contract. Traded C Doug Robbins to the Oakland Athletics for P Lee Cusey.California Angels -- Agreed to terms with OF Jerome Walton on a minor-league contract.Chicago White Sox -- Agreed to a one-year contract with OF Shawn Abner for $425,000.Houston Astros -- Agreed to terms with P Xavier Hernandez on a one-year contract worth $900,000.

Members of the Oakland Athletics use the term "youth movement" to characterize the club's recent roster moves.That doesn't necessarily translate into a concession, however, especially in the era of the wild card.The Athletics, with last night's 3-1 victory, have won seven of nine to draw within 3 1/2 games of Texas in the AL wild-card race."Realistically, I think we have as good a chance as anybody," said Oakland catcher Terry Steinbach. "I like where our momentum is, coming off a successful [7-4]

BaseballAL -- Upheld a three-game suspension of Toronto manager Cito Gaston for making contact with umpire Rick Reed and disorderly behavior during a game April 15.Florida Marlins -- Activated 1B Greg Colbrunn from the 15-day disabled list.Houston Astros -- Placed P Pete Harnisch on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to May 23. Recalled P Brian Williams from Triple-A Tucson.Minnesota Twins -- Activated 1B Kent Hrbek from the 15-day disabled list.Montreal Expos -- Optioned P Denis Boucher to Triple-A Ottawa.

BaseballLos Angeles Dodgers -- Announced P Don Aase (3-1, 4.97 ERA) chose to become free agent rather than accept assignment to Class AAA Albuquerque Dukes.Oakland Athletics -- Announced SS Walt Weiss will miss the res of American League playoffs with a sprained left knee.St. Louis Cardinals -- Named former New York Yankees manager Bucky Dent, Dave Collins, a utility player with the club this season, Joe Coleman and Galen Pitts coaches.BasketballDenver Nuggets -- Announced F Bill Hanzlik will be lost for season to recover from surgery for a herniated disk.