Fuentes' future up in air

Brian Fuentes wasn't surprised by Tuesday's news. The Oakland A's designated the four-time all-star for assignment.

The team now has 10 days to trade the Merced native or he becomes a free agent.

"I need to kind of regroup," Fuentes said. "I need to find some place to throw. I need to talk with my family and see what is best for us. Everything is kind of up in the air. I could get called tomorrow and told I've been traded to Milwaukee. I'm kind of in limbo. We'll have to see what the level of interest is out there."

Fuentes, 36, was 2-2 with a 6.84 ERA and five saves, including his 200th career save, this season. However, the left-hander has only made two appearances since June 14.

"I felt I wasn't pitching well, but I wasn't pitching that often," Fuentes said. "To pitch well you have to pitch often. That's the tough part. I've had moments of inconsistency before in my career, but I was in the closers' role. I was able to work my way out of it."

Fuentes signed a two-year contract worth $10.5 million before the start of the 2011 season.

Fuentes said there was no animosity on either side. He stuck around the club house to say goodbye to some of his teammates.

"You try to set an example for the young guys," he said. "You try to be professional. It's a business. I understand it. It's a result driven business."