Karsay Returns to Mound for A’s

After being sidelined by injuries and surgery for the past 18 months, Oakland’s Steve Karsay gave up a homer to the first batter he faced. And he couldn’t have cared less.

The only thing that mattered to the Athletics’ right-hander was being back out on the mound again, rather than just anticipating the moment.

“It was very exciting. Being out 18 months, seeing people pitch and waiting on the side is tough,” said Karsay, who has not pitched in a regular-season game since April 1994.

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Pittsburgh Pirate right-hander Steve Parris will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his pitching shoulder on Wednesday. . . . Ozzie Canseco, 31, and the Montreal Expos agreed to a minor-league contract. Canseco is the twin brother of Boston’s Jose Canseco. . . . Negotiators for players and owners are scheduled to meet Thursday and Friday in Tampa, Fla., but it’s unclear if much will happen during the sessions. Owners made a new proposal to the union on Feb. 21 and the players’ association has been discussing its response. Union head Donald Fehr said in Jupiter, Fla., that he doesn’t know if his side will be ready for a counter-offer. “We won’t know for sure until Wednesday,” he said.