MESA, Ariz. -- As the A's prepared to face his former Giants team Monday, right-hander Santiago Casilla remained held up in the Dominican Republic by visa paperwork.
"I'd like to get him here. I'd like to meet him," A's manager Bob Melvin said. "But it's not his fault."
Casilla's delayed arrival is linked to his late signing date. Because his two-year, $11 million deal with the A's wasn't made official until Jan. 20, only then could the lengthy visa process begin.
Melvin isn't so much worried about the 13-year veteran's spring workload, but he would obviously prefer to have Casilla in camp sooner rather than later, especially since he's committed to play for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic.