One of the reasons the A's offense struggled in the early going: the left-handed heavy Oakland lineup faced lefty starters 10 times in the first 15 games and the team went 2-10 in those games. Nomar Garciaparra, acquired to be the A's primary right-handed bat off the bench, was unavailable much of that stretch because of calf tightness, and he hit .188 against lefties in the six games he did play against them.
PLAYER NEWS: --3B Eric Chavez was placed on the 15-day disabled list Friday, as expected, after experiencing right elbow discomfort when taking batting practice Thursday. Chavez believes the problem stemmed from changing his throwing angle after his second shoulder surgery last August. He has returned to the Bay Area for more tests. He has spent more than a year and a half on the DL since the start of the 2007 season.
--1B Jason Giambi started at first base Friday night after being limited to pinch-hit duties the previous day because of sore hamstrings. Giambi walked twice and scored a run. His availability is likely to continue to be erratic because of the condition.
--RHP Brad Ziegler was unavailable for the second consecutive day because of the flu. The team has played its past three series in areas (New York, the Bay Area, Texas) where there are cases of swine flu, but A's manager Bob Geren told reporters that Ziegler did not have any of those symptoms. In Ziegler's absence, Michael Wuertz closed on Thursday and he earned his second career save.
--INF Gregorio Petit was recalled from Class AAA Sacramento when 3B Eric Chavez was placed on the disabled list. Petit, 24, hit .348 in 14 games with Oakland last year. He primarily will be used at second and shortstop.
MEDICAL WATCH:
1B Jason Giambi (strained hamstrings) was not in the starting lineup April 30, but he started on May 1.
3B Eric Chavez (strained right elbow, sore right forearm) didn't play April 26-30. He was placed on the 15-day disabled list on May 1.
RHP Santiago Casilla (right calf tightness) left the April 28 game and didn't pitch April 29-May 1. He's likely headed for the disabled list.
RHP Brad Ziegler (illness) was unavailable for the April 30-May 1 games.
LHP Dallas Braden (groin) left the April 26 game and is day-to-day.
LHP Brett Anderson (blister on left index finger) left the April 28 game. He is expected to be ready for his May 4 start.
INF Nomar Garciaparra (strained right calf) went on the 15-day disabled list April 29. The injury had dogged him for weeks.
2B Mark Ellis (left calf strain) went on the 15-day disabled list April 29.
RHP Justin Duchscherer (arthroscopic elbow surgery in March 2009) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 27, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on April 29. 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 Andrew Bailey
RHP Kevin Cameron
CATCHERS:
Kurt Suzuki
Landon Powell
INFIELDERS:
1B Jason Giambi
2B Bobby Crosby
SS Orlando Cabrera
3B Jack Hannahan
INF Eric Patterson
INF Gregorio Petit
OUTFIELDERS:
LF Matt Holliday
CF Ryan Sweeney
RF Travis Buck
DH Jack Cust
OF Rajai Davis
