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: --3B Eric Chavez was off Wednesday at New York. After having had two surgeries on his right shoulder in less than two years, Chavez is being held out of day games after night games. Manager Bob Geren said that schedule will continue throughout the early portion of the season. After missing a week with shoulder soreness, Chavez played Sunday and Tuesday and went 0-for-8. He has one hit in has past 20 at-bats. Bobby Crosby played third with Chavez and Nomar Garciaparra both out.
--C Kurt Suzuki reached base for his seventh consecutive plate appearance in the second inning Wednesday by hitting his first home run of the season, a three-run shot off CC Sabathia. It snapped a 44-game homerless streak for Suzuki, and it was Oakland's first homer in seven games. The A's have hit four homers overall, the fewest in the majors.
--LHP Brett Anderson made his first-ever start at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday, and he gave up three homers, all solo shots (Hideki Matsui, Melky Cabrera, Derek Jeter). Anderson, who'd held Toronto to two runs in seven innings his previous time out, gave up nine hits, a walk and five runs in 5 1/3 innings. Anderson, 21, is 0-3 to start his career.
--SS Orlando Cabrera snapped an 0-for-18 streak with a ninth-inning single Wednesday. Cabrera is batting .121 on the road and .364 at home.
MEDICAL WATCH:
INF Nomar Garciaparra (right calf tightness) left the April 14 game and did not play April 15. He played April 17 but was out again April 18-22. He is day-to-day.
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.
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.
RHP Joey Devine (sore right elbow) went on the 60-day disabled list retroactive to March 31. He had Tommy John surgery April 21, and he is out for the season.
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
