OAKLAND The A's front office worked overtime leading up to this season, adding players and transforming a roster that on paper looked like an American League West contender.
If only there were enough hours to be worked to remedy the latest rash of injuries this team has endured. As the A's continue a nine-game homestand after Tuesday night's 5-3 loss to the Los Angeles Angels, they are faced with a familiar mission: Keep the ship afloat while the disabled list is stacked with impact players.
Just 24 games into the season, the A's (9-15) already have used the DL seven times. This after they set an Oakland record with 25 DL transactions last season, and used the DL 22 times in 2007.
Although the injury bug has hit hard and early general manager Billy Beane said he's not likely to look for reinforcements via trade or free agency.
"We have what we have," Beane said. "What we want is to be as competitive as we can, and hope we patch things together and we get these guys back."
The A's have brought in a new head trainer (Steve Sayles) and new strength and conditioning director (Bob Alejo) over the past two years, but Beane doesn't think those two people should shoulder the blame anyway.
Some injuries appear random. Second baseman Mark Ellis worked his way back from right shoulder surgery in September, only to strain his left calf legging out a grounder April 28.
Others aren't so surprising.
Reliever Joey Devine had season-ending elbow surgery in April, but his elbow problems dated back to last season.
Third baseman Eric Chavez is sidelined with an elbow problem that he's said might be a trickle-down effect of shoulder surgery.
"Previous injury history is a predictor of future injuries," Beane said.
If that's true, then he must have known he was rolling the dice by signing free agent Nomar Garciaparra as an insurance policy for Chavez at third base. Garciaparra's chronic calf problems limited him to 55 games with the Los Angeles Dodgers last season.
He's currently sidelined with a strained right calf, though manager Bob Geren said Garciaparra is hopeful of coming off the DL on May 14 when he's eligible.
In the A's defense, Garciaparra was signed at a bargain price ($1 million plus incentives). And he wasn't supposed to be needed as an everyday player. Chavez's injuries, and the fact that first baseman Jason Giambi has required rest for sore legs, thrust him into a more prominent role.
Having neither Garciaparra nor Chavez available is a blow to the A's offense, putting more pressure on 3-4 hitters Giambi and Matt Holliday. Neither has found his groove, but Holliday did contribute a two-run home run in the ninth inning Tuesday.
It's hoped Chavez can return soon along with Garciaparra. Further down the road, ace right-hander Justin Duchscherer is aiming for a June return from arthroscopic elbow surgery. His extended absence, and that of Devine, can't be underestimated for an inexperienced pitching staff.
"We've been through this the last couple of years," designated hitter Jack Cust said. "You battle through it. It gives other guys a chance. We'd love to have (the injured players back), but we can't worry about guys that aren't here."
The A's managed just six hits in Tuesday's loss, which dropped them to 2-5 during this extended stretch against AL West opponents. The Angels scored two unearned runs in the second inning against A's starter Dallas Braden and never relinquished the lead.
Contact Joe Stiglich at jstiglic@bayareanewsgroup.com.Angels 5, a'S 3today: Rangers (Scott Feldman 1-0) at A's (Dan Giese 0-2), 7:05 p.m. TV: CSNCA. Radio: 860-AM, 1640-AM
