One of the first orders of business for the A's when position players arrived in camp was to get a handle on where Eric Chavez and Mark Ellis stand in their rehab from shoulder surgeries.
Third baseman Chavez, who had surgery in August on his right shoulder, is a little ahead of Ellis. He's scheduled to miss the first week of games and get into action on or about March 3, according to team trainer Steve Sayles. That gives him more than a month's worth of games. Ellis had his right shoulder cleaned up and the labrum repaired in September, and he will not play in the field until the final week of March, making his first appearance at second base no earlier than March 25. That still gives him more than a week of games.
That does not preclude Ellis from being the designated hitter in games, however. He's swinging the bat pain-free and taking batting practice with the rest of the regulars.
Ellis also can get as many at-bats as he'd like in minor league games. Ellis said he only needs 30-35 at-bats to be ready for the season, and he's looking at doing that with ease.
As long as Ellis is pain-free when he throws, the defensive part should come easily.
Daric Barton, the second-year first baseman, had hip surgery in October and he's somewhat limited when it comes to running, although he can do all other baseball activity. It hasn't been decided if he'll be held out of the early games because of the hip, but with a seven-week spring, that wouldn't be too much of an issue.
Right-hander Henry Rodriguez is the only player in camp held completely out of workouts. Rodriguez recently had a setback following hernia surgery in December.
WHERE, WHEN: Papago Park and Phoenix Municipal Stadium, Phoenix, Ariz. First exhibition game is Feb. 25 against Milwaukee in Maryvale, Ariz.
TOP CANDIDATE TO SURPRISE: SS Bobby Crosby has been working on his hitting with former A's slugger Mark McGwire, and Crosby believes he has a lot to prove after Oakland unsuccessfully waived him this winter. Crosby might not even get the chance to surprise, though. The team is still looking for another shortstop heading into the spring.
TOP CANDIDATE TO DISAPPOINT: RHP Brad Ziegler had a sensational rookie season that included a 39-inning scoreless streak to start his career, but sidearmers' effectiveness sometimes drops off after a time or two around the league. Ziegler's numbers certainly aren't likely to match last year's, no matter how strong a season he puts up.
AUTHORITY FIGURES: Manager Bob Geren, 151-172 in his first two seasons with the A's, is still trying to claim his first winning season in the big leagues, but a packed disabled list has hurt his chances so far. Oakland has used the disabled list 47 times over the last two years. For the eighth time in as many years, Oakland has a new bench coach, with Tye Waller moving over from the third-base coaching box. Former A's infielder Mike Gallego gets that third-base spot, and hitting coach Jim Skaalen also is new.
Play FOX Fantasy Baseball today
