Oakland's injury issues continued even after a rainout Wednesday.
Eric Chavez had improved to the point where the A's had him scheduled to play third base Thursday, which would have been his first appearance in six days. But Chavez was a late scratch with what the team described as a right forearm strain, and he is a strong possibility for the disabled list. Chavez's most recent arm problems apparently involve both his elbow and his forearm. He had left the clubhouse Thursday before the end of the game, so it was not possible to clarify with him the exact nature of the latest problem.
On Wednesday, the A's had planned to have Chavez play first base because he wasn't ready to play third yet. What would have been Chavez's first big-league start at first was rained out. Manager Bob Geren then said Thursday morning that Chavez's arm was feeling good enough to play third.
In addition, closer Brad Ziegler was unavailable, out because of an illness.
Jason Giambi, who didn't start because of hamstring strains, pinch-hit in the seventh and lined out. Geren said that Giambi is probable to start at first base in Seattle on Friday.
A'S 4, RANGERS 2: Matt Holliday hit his first home run in an Oakland uniform (he hadn't gone deep during the spring, either) and snapped a 25-game homerless streak overall. Ryan Sweeney's leaping catch, going over the wall to rob Ian Kinsler of a potential three-run homer in the eighth inning, saved the game for the A's.
