NewsEllis to come off disabled list Sunday
Oakland (31-42) vs. Colorado (39-35), 1:05 p.m. PT
By Adam Loberstein / MLB.com
06/28/09 1:05 AM ET
OAKLAND -- Bob Geren didn't hesitate when asked what it will mean to have Mark Ellis back on the field. "He's the best player ever to play second base without having a Gold Glove in his living room," Geren said. |
Ellis will come off the disabled list and return to the lineup Sunday for Oakland's series finale against Colorado. He was placed on the DL with a strained right calf April 29.
The 32-year-old made 10 rehab starts, eight of which came at Triple-A Sacramento. He batted .162 with a double and three RBIs. "He says he's seeing the ball well," Geren said. "It'd be nice if his bat could give us a spark. ... He hasn't seen Major League pitching in almost 60 days." Ellis' comeback pushes Adam Kennedy off second base. Kennedy, who is batting a team-best .294, has been taking grounders at third base during batting practice. He was breaking in a new first baseman's mitt Friday afternoon. Kennedy said he doesn't have a preference for which position he plays. He added that he's least familiar with third base, as he hasn't played a Major League game at the position. Pitching matchupOAK: RHP Vin Mazzaro (2-2, 2.56 ERA)
After surrendering four runs in his first two frames, Mazzaro rebounded to throw four scoreless innings before being removed in a 4-1 loss to the Giants on Tuesday. He allowed seven hits, walked two and struck out six on 105 pitches, but as he did on June 12, he had the misfortune of matching up with Tim Lincecum, who threw his second successive complete game against the A's. This will be Mazzaro's first career start against Colorado, and his sixth overall. COL: RHP Aaron Cook (7-3, 4.00 ERA)
Cook allowed one run over seven innings Monday to earn his seventh win of the season and his 59th since joining the Rockies (a franchise record). He gave up only three hits and two walks while recording four strikeouts. Rockies manager Jim Tracy said Cook's sinker against the Angels was "as heavy as I have seen it all season." Cook has one previous start against the Athletics, which resulted in a no-decision after he allowed one run over eight innings. Tidbits
Nomar Garciaparra was the starting designated hitter Saturday -- his first start since coming off the disabled list June 12. "We'll see how he responds [to being the DH] before we try anything else," Geren said. "He's moving well, looks good taking ground balls. It's a matter of volume. Maybe he reaches base four times one day and he's unavailable the next." ... Jack Hannahan was given the day off Saturday. He's committed an error in each of his past two games and four of his past 12. Hannahan had an Oakland-record 72-game errorless streak for third basemen snapped June 12. He's hitless in his past 22 at-bats. ... The Oakland bullpen had a 14-inning scoreless streak entering Saturday. "It's very encouraging," Geren said. "We have a solid bullpen. I'm very comfortable with those guys." ... Dallas Braden will host Hoover Tyler Little Leaguers from his native Stockton at the ballpark Sunday. Tickets
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• Monday: Athletics (Brett Anderson, 3-7, 5.74) vs. Tigers (Rick Porcello, 8-4, 3.55), 7:05 p.m. PT
• Tuesday: Athletics (Gio Gonzalez, 0-1, 8.03) vs. Tigers (Armando Galarraga, 4-7, 5.65), 7:05 p.m. PT
• Wednesday: Athletics (Dallas Braden, 5-7, 3.26) vs. Tigers (Justin Verlander, 8-3, 3.40), 12:35 p.m. PT
Adam Loberstein is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
