--DH Frank Thomas was placed on the 15-day disabled list with significant inflammation in his right quadriceps, an injury that is particularly affecting his quadriceps tendon, Thomas said. With concern that he could tear the already stressed tendon considering his large frame, the decision was made to give Thomas an extended period to let the problem heal. Thomas was just starting to heat up, with four homers in six games before leaving Tuesday's game after a double in the third inning.
--3B Eric Chavez rejoined the A's a week earlier than anticipated when the team placed DH Frank Thomas on the disabled list. Chavez, who had back surgery in October and surgery on both shoulders over the winter, told the club that he didn't believe he needed to play nine innings in the field three games in a row at Class AAA Sacramento in order to come off the DL, which had been the A's plan. So with Thomas out, Chavez served as DH on Thursday, but he is scheduled to play third at Texas on Friday night. --OF Ryan Sweeney was taken for X-rays after fouling a ball off his left foot Wednesday night, but the rookie has no fractures. The foot was still sore Thursday, so Sweeney sat out, but he isn't expected to miss much time. If the problem lingers, there's a chance the A's will recall Travis Buck to provide outfield depth.
--RHP Joey Devine was not available during the Toronto series because of forearm soreness. Devine had an MRI on Thursday, but he said he does not believe the problem to be too serious. Devine, acquired in the Mark Kotsay deal, has been one of the A's most reliable relievers this year.
--RHP Fautino De Los Santos had Tommy John surgery, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. De Los Santos, who was part of the Nick Swisher trade with the White Sox, had not pitched at Class A Stockton since April 24. The 22-year-old will miss the rest of this season and probably the first half of next year.
--OF Jeff Fiorentino was designated for assignment to make room for 3B Eric Chavez on the 40-man roster. Chavez came off the 60-day disabled list. Fiorentino, a onetime Orioles outfielder, missed more than six weeks this season after being hit in the face with a throw. He was batting .273 in eight games at Class AAA Sacramento, but the A's have a surplus of outfielders in the upper levels of the system.
BY THE NUMBERS: 11 -- Times the A's have used the disabled list this season, already halfway to last year's Oakland-record mark of 22. Andrew Brown was the most recent addition to the DL after requiring an appendectomy last week. Eric Chavez and Kiko Calero are both close to coming off the DL, perhaps within the next week.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "This reminds me exactly of what he did in 2006. The way he's hitting, homers can come in a hurry and they can come often." -? A's second baseman Mark Ellis, on Frank Thomas' recent power surge. Thomas has hit four homers in five games.
