OAKLAND -- Oakland's seemingly neverending game of musical chairs in the outfield continued Tuesday with the addition of Jeremy Hermida, who was selected from Triple-A Sacramento and immediately placed in the lineup, playing right field and batting seventh.

Hermida represented the 15th outfielder the A's have used this season, one that has them inching toward the mark of 18 set in 2007.

The 26-year-old Hermida, signed by the A's to a Minor League contract on Sept. 3 after being released by Boston three days before, played just three games with Sacramento and went 4-for-13 with two doubles and three RBIs before his promotion, which filled Oakland's 40-man roster.

"He's still young," A's manager Bob Geren said. "He's shown some real promise. I'm happy we got him, and we'll give him a chance to see what he can do."

Hermida, a former first-round Draft pick of the Marlins in 2002, spent a span of 52 games with the Red Sox this season, which was interfered by a disabled list stint due to a left rib-cage fracture. He returned to Boston in late July and played in just seven games before being released, an event Hermida says was influenced by the fact he was never really in the Red Sox's future plans.

"Everything happens for a reason," Hermida said. "It was a nice move on their part to let me come somewhere and get some at-bats."

Geren said Hermida's presence won't change the fact he'll likely continue to rotate his outfielders on a daily basis. On Tuesday, Jeff Larish received a start in left with Rajai Davis in center as a result of a day off for Coco Crisp, who has been battling left knee soreness intermittently for about a week.

"I felt like today was a good day to give him a day," Geren said. "Hopefully this will help him."

Kouz has MRI, day-to-day with back spasms

OAKLAND -- Kevin Kouzmanoff was sent to get an MRI on his ailing back Tuesday afternoon, the results of which he said after the A's 7-5 loss to the Mariners showed "nothing serious."

The injured third baseman suffered lower back spasms in the fifth inning Sunday against the Angels, and manager Bob Geren said there is no timetable for his return. Kouzmanoff reiterated that notion, saying it's really a "day-to-day thing."

Kouzmanoff has a history of back problems after falling down dugout stairs while attempting to catch a foul ball in Arizona Fall League action six years ago. Since then, he's experienced lower back spasms nearly every year, but only for a handful of days.

As of Tuesday, the 29-year-old infielder had appeared in 132 of the club's 138 games, making him one of Oakland's most consistent offensive and defensive presences. In his stead, Geren said he plans to platoon Jeff Larish and Steve Tolleson, the latter receiving the start at third Tuesday.

Club to skip fifth starter's spot this week

OAKLAND -- Manager Bob Geren confirmed Tuesday that the A's, who optioned righty Vin Mazzaro to Triple-A on Monday, will skip the fifth starter's spot with Thursday's off-day.

Oakland won't look for another start from the fifth spot until Monday or Tuesday in Kansas City, Geren said. Reliever Boof Bonser, who has experience starting, is an option, as is dipping down into the Minor League roster.

Trevor Cahill, Brett Anderson and Dallas Braden will face Boston starting this weekend, and Geren said he may give Gio Gonzalez an extra day of rest by bringing in a fifth starter Monday.

Mazzaro's demotion came as somewhat of a surprise given the timing, but both Geren and assistant general manager David Forst said the young right-hander needs to gain consistent command in the Minors, where he's slated to start Sacramento's playoff game Friday.

A's select architect for proposed stadium

OAKLAND -- The A's announced Tuesday that they have formally selected 360 Architecture as the architect for the club's proposed new stadium, the implementation of which is dependent on a decision from Major League Baseball.

A's co-owner Lew Wolff soon hopes to hear from Commissioner Bud Selig, who is awaiting a report from the three-panel committee he appointed in March 2009 to study the A's stadium operations, particularly one involving San Jose that would involve territorial rights.

The city of San Jose is considering asking for voter approval to build a ballpark for the A's there, but the San Francisco Giants have publicly stated that they would oppose the move due to an encroachment on their territorial rights to Santa Clara County, where they have a Class A team.

Wolff is also co-owner of Major League Soccer's San Jose Earthquakes, which also appointed 360 Architecture on Tuesday as the architect for a potential new stadium.

360 Architecture specializes in the planning and design of professional and collegiate sports facilities, including recent notable projects like New Meadowlands Stadium, home of both the New York Giants and New York Jets.

Both the A's and Earthquake stadiums are planned to be constructed privately, with no public money provided. The Earthquakes stadium is slated to be built as the anchor of a new development near San Jose International Airport. The A's, however, have to wait on Selig's word before deciding on a location.