Athletics 6, Diamondbacks 1

PHOENIX -- Arizona's Dan Haren was excited to face his former team, and it showed.

Haren walked three in three innings of the Diamondbacks' 6-1 loss to the Oakland Athletics on Thursday.

Haren, who has allowed six runs in nine innings so far this spring, said he was a little wild because of the extra adrenaline of facing his former team. But he only gave up one run and one hit, and struck out four.

"I felt really good," Haren said. "My arm felt really live. The first couple starts of the spring you are really working the kinks out, but today my arm felt great."

Oakland's Vin Mazzaro pitched three scoreless innings in his first start of the spring. Mazzaro has not allowed a run in eight innings over four games.

The 22-year-old Mazzaro, right-hander Trevor Cahill and left-hander Brett Anderson are considered the A's next wave of talented young starters, a potential new version of Tim Hudson, Mark Mulder and Barry Zito.

"It's a little competition between us," Mazzaro said. "When you go out and see the other guys do good, you want to do a little better."

The A's have at least one rotation spot available, and possibly two if Justin Duchscherer needs to start the season on the disabled list. Among the pitchers in the running for the rotation, Mazzaro is the only one who has not allowed a run.

"He could have pitched in the big leagues the way he pitched today," manager Bob Geren said. "He'll continue to get opportunities, like everyone else. We've got some good competition."

A's starters have allowed 10 earned runs in 38 innings for a 2.37 ERA this spring.

The Diamondbacks announced before the game that they will temporarily be without catcher Miguel Montero, whose father died. Montero returned to Venezuela.

"It was sudden and unexpected," manager Bob Melvin said, adding that he did not know how long Montero would be gone.

Game notes
SS Orlando Cabrera might make his A's debut this weekend. Geren said Cabrera might be the DH on Saturday against the Giants and play in the field on Sunday against the Angels. INF Nomar Garciaparra is a few days behind Cabrera in his preparation, Geren said. Cabrera and Garciaparra have only been in camp for a week after signing late. ... 3B Eric Chavez will remain sidelined for at least three more days. Chavez suffered a setback in his rehab from right shoulder surgery. ... RHP Joey Devine, who has been out with a sore elbow, could get on the mound in the bullpen as soon as this weekend. ... OF Chris Denorfia rejoined the A's after playing for Italy in the World Baseball Classic. RHP Brad Ziegler, who is playing for Team USA, is the only A's player left in the WBC. ... Diamondbacks RHP Doug Davis, who has been out with a triceps injury, is expected to throw a bullpen session on Friday. ... RHP Tom Gordon, who had elbow surgery last year, is about a week away from being able to throw off a mound. Gordon will begin the season on the DL. ... OF Eric Byrnes, still rehabbing from last year's torn hamstrings, has been running the bases. He may be able to play in a minor league game this weekend.