Through the first 12 games, Oakland made nine errors, the most in the league. Some of that is the result of Bobby Crosby (two errors) learning new positions on the fly and some to having Jack Cust (one error) in the outfield, but even second baseman Mark Ellis, a superb defensive player, has two errors, though both came on difficult plays. "We know we have a good defensive infield," Ellis said. "Sometimes errors are overrated. We'll be fine." With a very young rotation, the A's have even greater need for a solid defense.
PLAYER NEWS: --INF Nomar Garciaparra was not scheduled to play Monday night at Yankee Stadium because of tightness in his right calf. The game was rained out, and Garciaparra is listed as day-to-day for Tuesday's game. He has played only once in the last week because of the problem, which also cost him two-plus months on the disabled list with the Dodgers last year.
--LHP Dana Eveland, scheduled to pitch Monday night, will start Tuesday night at Yankee Stadium after the Monday opener was rained out. Eveland gave up five runs in his last start, against Boston, in 4 2/3 innings. The A's have won both the games he has started.
--LHP Brett Anderson, who had been scheduled to start on Tuesday night, will pitch Wednesday's day game at Yankee Stadium following Monday's rainout. Anderson, a rookie, is 0-2, but his last time out he allowed Boston just five hits and two runs in seven innings.
--3B Eric Chavez came out of Sunday's game at Toronto healthy, he said Monday. Chavez, who had missed a week with shoulder soreness, had been scheduled to be in Monday night's lineup before the game was rained out. He said he will play Tuesday night.
--LHP Josh Outman is the top candidate to have his turn in the rotation skipped after the A's were rained out Monday. The team also has days off Thursday and the following Monday, which would provide too much rest for all five starters. Outman hasn't made it more than five innings yet this season. His turn would come Friday, but it's likely that Trevor Cahill, who last pitched Saturday, will make that start.
MEDICAL WATCH:
INF Nomar Garciaparra (right calf tightness) left the April 14 game and did not play April 15. He played on April 17 but was out again April 18-19 and faced a possible trip to the disabled list.
3b Eric Chavez (neck, right shoulder stiffness) did not play April 11-18 but returned April 19.
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 for a bone scan and CT scan on April 15.
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:
LHP Dallas Braden
RHP Trevor Cahill
LHP Dana Eveland
LHP Brett Anderson
LHP Josh Outman
BULLPEN:
RHP Brad Ziegler (closer)
RHP Russ Springer
RHP Santiago Casilla
RHP Michael Wuertz
RHP Dan Giese
RHP Sean Gallagher
RHP Andrew Bailey
CATCHERS:
Kurt Suzuki
Landon Powell
INFIELDERS:
1B Jason Giambi
2B Mark Ellis
SS Orlando Cabrera
3B Eric Chavez
INF Nomar Garciaparra
INF Bobby Crosby
OUTFIELDERS:
LF Matt Holliday
CF Ryan Sweeney
RF Travis Buck
DH Jack Cust
OF Rajai Davis
