Oakland's injury situation began to look up toward the end of the spring, and often injured 3B Eric Chavez and 2B Mark Ellis were ready for the start of 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 earned a rotation job, 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 NEWS: --LHP Brett Anderson, 21, had five good innings and one poor one in his big-league debut Friday night in Oakland. The Mariners scored all five runs off Anderson in the second inning, hitting only two balls well -- a single by Jose Lopez and a two-run double by Yuniesky Betancourt. Anderson's next start will be Wednesday against the Red Sox.
--C Landon Powell might make his first major-league start Saturday, according to manager Bob Geren. Powell, 27, had his development delayed by three surgeries, then this winter he was diagnosed with a genetic form of hepatitis that might necessitate a liver transplant in 10-20 years. Kurt Suzuki has caught Oakland's first four games and he worked a big-league high 141 games behind the plate last year.
--RHP Joey Devine still has not had a conclusive diagnosis on his sore right elbow. The team's co-closer visited Dr. James Andrews Wednesday and was scheduled for more tests, a bone scan and a CT scan, but the A's have not heard any more information about Devine's injury.
--SS Orlando Cabrera had three hits, a walk and a sacrifice fly in Oakland's home opener, Cabrera's regular-season debut at the Coliseum with the A's. Cabrera is a career .352 hitter against Seattle, his second-best mark against any team after Minnesota (.360). Cabrera has hit second in Oakland's order in all four games this season.
MEDICAL WATCH:
OF Matt Holliday (illness) sat out the April 7-8 games but was back in the lineup April 10.
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 examined by Dr. James Andrews on April 8, but the team was still waiting for a diagnosis.
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.
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
