Axford (shoulder) will undergo an MRI on Wednesday, Jane Lee of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Axford was placed on the 10-day disabled list Wednesday, though it can be backdated a few days because he didn't appear in either of the Athletics' first two games. He apparently felt shoulder discomfort while warming up Tuesday. Manager Bob Melvin is hopeful the 34-year-old can return next week, though more should be known after his test results are revealed.

Axford was placed on the 10-day disabled list Wednesday with a strained shoulder, MLB.com's Jane Lee reports.

EDGE Analysis

Axford hadn't pitched in either of the Athletics' first two games, so it seems likely that he may have been nursing the injury coming out of spring training. Though the Athletics' closing situation remains quite unsettled, it's unlikely that Axford will get a chance to throw his hat in the ring for those duties once he's healthy again after submitting an unremarkable 3.97 ERA and 1.45 WHIP over 65.2 innings last season.

Axford gave up a hit over a scoreless eighth inning in Sunday's 11-1 Cactus League win over the Brewers.

EDGE Analysis

Axford took the mound for the first time since March 17 and put lowered his spring ERA to 4.26 with his scoreless inning. The veteran reliever has endured a couple of rough outings this spring but is expected to once again play a sizable role in Oakland's bullpen this coming season.

Axford has struggled over five appearances this spring, generating a 5.06 ERA, 2.44 WHIP and 2:5 K:BB across 5.3 innings.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran reliever, who was a valuable part of the bullpen last season with 15 holds and three saves, has endured some rough sledding this spring and hasn't taken the mound since March 17. Axford was also considered to be a contender for the closer role at one point, and did notably notch 25 saves as recently as 2015 while with the Rockies. However, it would appear that incumbent ninth-inning specialist Ryan Madson and newcomer Santiago Casilla -- who has a solid late-inning track record in his own right -- are the frontrunners for the position at present.

Axford was credited with his second hold of spring in Sunday's 5-4 Cactus League win over the Mariners, surrendering one hit and one walk over one inning. He also recorded a strikeout.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran righty has fired two scoreless innings this spring, and he remains in the mix for potential save opportunities in the coming season in what could be a closer-by-committee approach. Axford was originally slated to pitch on Team Canada in the World Baseball Classic but eventually withdrew, leaving him with additional opportunities to compete for a robust bullpen role this spring.

Axford will not play for Team Canada in the World Baseball Classic, John Hickey of Bay Area News Group reports.

EDGE Analysis

It's a reversal from his original plans, and details will be revealed later today, according to Hickey. Axford is one of four relievers in consideration for Oakland saves, though he probably ranks behind Ryan Madson, Sean Doolittle and Santiago Casilla.

Axford will play for Team Canada in this year's WBC, Jane Lee of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran reliever, who compiled 15 holds and three saves (in 10 chances) along with a 6-4 record and 3.97 ERA across 65.2 innings in 2016, will be part of a pitching staff that will include fellow major leaguers Andrew Albers and Kevin Chapman.

Axford notched only his second save of the season Wednesday against the Orioles, striking out one and allowing one hit in a scoreless ninth.

EDGE Analysis

Ryan Madson pitched Monday and Tuesday, so he was unavailable, leaving Axford a rare save chance. He's the clear No. 2 man in the Oakland bullpen while Sean Doolittle (shoulder) remains on the DL.

Axford has given up four runs on eight hits through his last 12 innings.

EDGE Analysis

Axford was stellar in April, posting a 0.73 ERA, but then he dropped off a cliff with an 8.20 ERA over May and June. Now he's settled in the middle, sporting a 3.41 ERA since July 1.

Axford tossed a scoreless inning in Oakland's 4-0 loss to Milwaukee on Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Axford has been highly efficient of late, allowing only four base-runners and striking out eight batters in his last 5.2 innings of work. During that time, he's lowered his ERA from 3.79 to 2.92 and his WHIP from 1.32 to 1.18. The 33-year-old veteran will look to keep it going as Oakland opens up a series with Cincinnati on Friday.