A's manager Melvin will welcome back Bartolo Colon

Melvin said he last spoke to Colon about three weeks after the suspension began, and they will talk again before the start of spring training in February.

"I don't need to talk to Bart. I will call him at some point in time," Melvin said. "I got very close to him, and we had a nice conversation and he was very remorseful when all that went down. I think in the back of his mind he was hoping this situation would arise for him again, and it did."

A's assistant general manager David Forst said Wednesday the team remains in contact with shortstop Stephen Drew. Oakland declined to pick up their half of a $10 million mutual option late last month. Drew is seeking a long-term deal.

"We're still in touch," Forst said. "We're looking to do something at that position, and he's still an option."