--3B Eric Chavez expects to make his spring debut at third base on March 9. Chavez, who had shoulder surgery in August, has been serving as the designated hitter every other day for the past week and working on a throwing program with infield coach Mike Gallego. Jack Hannahan and Joe Dillon have played third much of the time with Chavez out. The team initially thought Chavez might play third on March 3.
--2B Mark Ellis has begun playing in games as the designated hitter after being cleared to run the bases and slide. Ellis had shoulder surgery in September and is not expected to play second base until March 25 at the earliest. Ellis is doing a throwing program with bullpen coach Ron Romanick. --RHP Justin Duchscherer had an MRI exam on his sore right elbow and was advised by team doctors and Dr. Lewis Yocum in Los Angeles to rest his arm. Yocum also recommended a stronger anti-inflammatory. Duchscherer said he will try to throw again on March 9, and he believes if he is OK then that he can be ready to start on Opening Night. The A's are considering moving Duchscherer back to the bullpen to limit his injuries, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
--1B Daric Barton will miss four or five days because of a quadriceps strain. Barton had only begun playing in the field in Cactus League games after being limited initially following offseason hip surgery. Barton's roster status is shaky following the addition of two new players, Orlando Cabrera and Nomar Garciaparra.
--SS Orlando Cabrera was officially signed on March 6 to be the starting shortstop. He's likely to get into a Cactus League game in a week or so, once his conditioning has been evaluated. Cabrera is likely to hit up near the top of the lineup, according to manager Bob Geren, and the best bet given his career numbers is second.
--INF Nomar Garciaparra officially signed a one-year deal with Oakland on March 6. The veteran will play third, first and perhaps a bit of shortstop, and he also will DH. Garciaparra said that the calf troubles he had last season have been resolved with intensive rehab.
BY THE NUMBERS: 14 -- The number of All-Star appearances the A's new lineup additions (Jason Giambi, Matt Holliday, Orlando Cabrera, Nomar Garciaparra) have made.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I've enjoyed it here, but the best thing for me is to go somewhere I can be an everyday shortstop. They've made up their minds, and I just hope they can give me the opportunity to move on." -- SS Bobby Crosby in the San Francisco Chronicle after the A's signed Orlando Cabrera.
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