Oakland's injury situation began to look up toward the end of the spring, with often injured 3B Eric Chavez and 2B Mark Ellis close to ready to go to start the season. Starting pitching remains a big question mark, especially with All-Star Justin Duchscherer and co-closer Joey Devine shelved by elbow injuries, and the starters could be in flux much of the season. LHP Brett Anderson has emerged as a good bet to open the season in Oakland, showing good poise to go along with big-league ready stuff, and Duchscherer's sore elbow resulted in a spot for RHP Trevor Cahill. LHP Josh Outman beat out RHP Sean Gallagher for the final opening in the rotation.
PLAYER NOTES: --RHP Michael Wuertz made his first regular-season appearance as a member of the Oakland bullpen and struck out two in pitching a 1-2-3 inning against the Angels. Wuertz, who throws in the low 90s and has a nasty slider, is expected to be Oakland's primary middle reliever. He had an 8.18 ERA during the spring.
--3B Eric Chavez appeared in his first regular-season game since last August and less than eight months after surgery to repair his right shoulder. Chavez singled and hit two long drives to the outfield that were caught. He also made a strong play to his left to catch a line drive by Erick Aybar in the fourth.
--SS Orlando Cabrera made his first regular-season appearance with his new team and doubled in the sixth inning, Oakland's only extra-base hit of the night. Cabrera was then caught off second base when Matt Holliday grounded to short. He finished the night 1-for-4.
ROTATION:
1. LHP Dallas Braden
2. RHP Trevor Cahill
3. LHP Dana Eveland
4. LHP Brett Anderson
5. LHP Josh Outman
BULLPEN:
RHP Brad Ziegler (closer)
RHP Russ Springer
RHP Santiago Casilla
RHP Michael Wuertz
LHP Jerry Blevins
RHP Sean Gallagher
RHP Andrew Bailey
LINEUP:
1. CF Ryan Sweeney
2. SS Orlando Cabrera
3. LF Matt Holliday
4. 1B Jason Giambi
5. 3B Eric Chavez
6. DH Jack Cust
7. C Kurt Suzuki
8. RF Travis Buck
9. 2B Mark Ellis
RESERVES:
C Landon Powell
INF Nomar Garciaparra
INF Bobby Crosby
OF Rajai Davis
MEDICAL WATCH:
3B Eric Chavez (shoulder) did not play in the field in a Cactus League game until March 27, and the team is likely to take it slowly with him considering he had a setback that cost him two weeks at the start of the month.
2B Mark Ellis (shoulder) made his Cactus League debut at second March 25 and appears completely ready to go, though the A's are sure to give him plenty of rest early in the season.
RHP Justin Duchscherer (arthroscopic elbow surgery in March 2009) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 27. There is a chance that when he is able to throw off the mound, he will be moved into the bullpen to try to safeguard his health. He is expected to return in early May.
RHP Joey Devine (sore right elbow) went on the 60-day disabled list retroactive to March 31. He was scheduled to be examined by Dr. James Andrews.
OF Ben Copeland (sprained left shoulder) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 27. Copeland is a Rule 5 draftee from the Giants.
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