Dan

Giese

Giese, 28, had a 5.68 ERA in 26 relief appearances this season. He should have received consideration for a callup last year, when he had a 2.81 ERA in 83 1/3 IP for the Red Barons.

Blackley gave up seven runs over 8 2/3 innings in his two starts for the Giants last month. It was his first action in the majors since 2004, when he was considered a top prospect for the Mariners. A torn labrum suffered after that season has left him without the stuff to retire major league hitters.

2 1/2 seasons after his brief retirement, Giese is finally making his major league debut at age 30. He had a 2.82 ERA in 73 1/3 innings for Triple-A Fresno.

The 31-year-old had a 3.53 ERA in 43 1/3 innings for the Yankees last season and figures to eventually get a shot for an A’s bullpen in need of a reliable veteran arm.

Giese will be out for the next 12-18 months. The journeyman righty will have to earn his way back to the majors in late 2010 or 2011.

The Yankees used today to audition for the long-relief role in their pen. Tomko continued to outshine the other candidates in lowering his ERA to 1.17. Alfredo Aceves gave up one run in three innings, dropping his ERA to 4.60. Dan Giese was unable to complete his three frames, giving up three runs -- one earned -- in 2 1/3 innings. Tomko seems set to get the job.

“It was like getting hit with a ton of bricks,” Giese said. “The MRI showed my ulnar collateral ligament was completely torn.” He projects to miss 12-18 months.

It was his first start since last August 9 as a member of the Yankees against the Angels. Some thought he would be on a pitch count, but Giese threw 93 pitches in this one. He gave up eight hits, including a first inning home run to Elvis Andrus while striking out three and not walking a batter. He was likely good enough for another start against the Royals.

Giese is filling in for the struggling Dana Eveland, who was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento Tuesday evening. He’ll be held to a limited pitch count, so fantasy leaguers might not have use for him.

An oddly-timed move, given that Eveland last started on Friday. The A’s could have had an extra pitcher available for the last few days if they sent him down after that one. They will go to Dan Giese as a stopgap starter Wednesday against the Rangers. Sean Gallagher very likely will claim the open rotation spot at some point within the next few weeks.