The A’s pitching news is coming fast and furious today … The team will avoid arbitration with right-hander Justin Duchscherer, agreeing to terms on a one-year contract, assistant GM David Forst confirmed. ESPN reports the deal to be worth $3.9 million. Duchscherer was asking for $4.6 million in arbitration while the A’s were offering $3 million. Seems like a pretty fair settlement to me. And no doubt it will give Duchscherer some peace of mind. Arbitration hearings are never pretty, because a team basically has to rip its own player to defend its case for why he should be paid the lower salary. The A’s have made it a priority to settle early with players and avoid hearings.

There could be more A’s news to report soon, as foxsports.com says the A’s are close to signing right-handed reliever Russ Springer to a one-year deal in the $3 million range. Springer, 40, pitched with the St. Louis Cardinals last season.

Contrary to a recent online report, I can tell you the A’s won’t have anybody in attendance to watch free agent starting pitcher Kris Benson throw this weekend.