MESA, Ariz. -- The A's have Sunday circled on the calendar for the much-anticipated arrival of reliever Santiago Casilla.
The veteran right-hander, who has been held up in the Dominican Republic because of visa paperwork, is expected to travel from his homeland on Saturday, and join his new club the following morning -- nearly three weeks after Oakland's other pitchers reported to camp.
Casilla's visa process was delayed, according to the A's, because of his late signing date -- his two-year, $11 million deal was finalized Jan. 20.
The 36-year-old, who has been following a throwing program at the team's Dominican Republic academy, has a decision to make when descending upon the desert.