Matchup May Be Good for a Laugh

Former partners in pranks as Oakland teammates, pitchers Tim Hudson and Mark Mulder may feel as if the joke is on them when they face each other for the first time tonight.

After pitching for the Athletics, Hudson was traded to Atlanta and Mulder was sent to St. Louis after the 2004 season.

Since they’re now in the National League, they also bat. They say that sets up the most intriguing -- and potentially hilarious -- part of the matchup.

The two talked on the phone Monday.

“We laughed about it and said how this figures,” Mulder said. “Who’s going to be able to keep a straight face? That might be the hardest part. I know I’m going to start laughing. What are you going to do?”

Hudson and Mulder were lead players in the fraternity-house atmosphere of the A’s clubhouse.

And, Hudson said, they talked about the possibility of facing each other even before they left Oakland. “We were just joking about if we got traded,” Hudson said. “I told him, just laughing, whatever you throw at me, I’m going to throw at you. If he starts breaking out his nasty stuff early, I’m going to have to do the same.”

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The woman whose nose was broken last year when she was hit by a chair thrown by Texas reliever Frank Francisco filed a lawsuit against the pitcher, two of his teammates and the Rangers.

The suit filed by Jennifer Bueno seeks damages for battery, assault and negligence. Also named in the lawsuit were Texas pitchers Doug Brocail and Carlos Almanzar, the Texas Rangers Baseball Co., and Staff Pro Inc. -- the company hired by the A’s to provide security at the game.

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Colorado recalled pitcher Jay Witasick from triple-A Colorado Springs, activated outfielder Dustan Mohr from the disabled list and optioned right-handers Scott Dohmann and Ryan Speier to the minors.

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The St. Louis Cardinals recalled right-hander Kevin Jarvis from triple-A Memphis and sent utility player Hector Luna to Memphis.... Infielder Dave Hansen agreed to a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners.... Kansas City recalled first baseman Ken Harvey from triple-A Omaha and sent right-hander Shawn Camp to the minors.