Right-hander Steve Karsay rejoined the Oakland A's in time for their game against the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday night.
Karsay was acquired from the Cleveland Indians in a minor-league deal Sunday.
Right-hander Matt Roney was also recalled from Triple-A Sacramento, and left-hander Randy Keisler was placed on the bereavement list effective Monday. The A's also optioned catcher Jeremy Brown to the River Cats.
"To be here in this situation I feel very fortunate," Karsay said. "I beat the odds a little bit."
Karsay made his major league debut with the A's in 1993 after he was acquired from Toronto in a trade that sent Rickey Henderson to the Blue Jays. Karsay started 36 games in three seasons with Oakland, compiling a 7-16 record with a 4.94 ERA.
He has also pitched for the Indians, Atlanta Braves, Texas Rangers and New York Yankees.
Karsay missed the 2003 season after undergoing surgery and his doctor suggested he would not be able to pitch again.
"I believed him but I never accepted it," Karsay said. "I thought it was just another step."
A's manager Ken Macha said Karsay could come in at any time in the game.
"I told him there were no rules in the bullpen and he could be called in to pitch at any time, so be ready," Macha said.
Roney makes his second appearance on the 25-man roster. he made two relief appearances before being optioned to Sacramento on Friday. Keisler left the team in New York to return home to be with his ailing grandmother. Brown was called up when Jason Kendall was suspended and did not appear in a game.