Ryan Sweeney is back from the disabled list and starting in right field tonight against Minnesota. Carlos Gonzalez was shipped out to Triple-A to make roster room for him. Took me by surprise a little bit, considering the season really has boiled down to getting these young guys as much experience as possible. But Gonzalez is  4-for-52 over his past 16 games. You figure Rajai Davis is playing well in center field and Sweeney deserves to re-claim his starting spot in right field. Gonzalez is valuable enough, and young enough, that you don’t want to see his confidence plummet while sitting the bench/struggling in the big leagues.

Considering rosters can expand to 40 starting Monday, the A’s could bring him back soon if they wish. But Bob Geren didn’t give indication that would be the case. “You never make promises in this business,” was the word from the manager.  

How does this move grab everybody?

I have to admit, after last season I thought I had seen all I needed to see from Dallas Braden. But the guy has really come on strong with his last few starts. If he finishes this well, you have to consider him a legit candidate for a rotation spot next season. But that depends greatly on whether the A’s re-sign Duchscherer, and that’s a whole separate discussion in itself. Curious how many of you out there are becoming Braden converts. Do you view him as an every-fifth-day kind of guy in ‘09?

Some random observations as the White Sox’s rout wraps up at the Coliseum …

It’s really not surprising to see Gio Gonzalez struggle like he did today. And it won’t be the last time this season we see a young player take his lumps. Expect to see more prospects called up after Sept. 1, and the A’s surely won’t hesitate to let them play. The key from a game like today is what Gonzalez takes away from it and how he applies these lessons in the future. The A’s need his final starts here to be a confidence builder for him to take into the offseason. He’ll be looking to nail down a permanent rotation spot come spring training ‘09. …

And while it’s expected that young players will struggle, it’s impossible to ignore that much of the A’s offensive struggles can be pinned on their veterans. Guys like Frank Thomas, Mark Ellis and Jack Cust all have failed to produce consistently with runners on base. This entire lineup, top to bottom, takes way too many careless at-bats, regardless of experience. …

The A’s best defensive play of the White Sox series might have come Friday night, when catcher Rob Bowen made a terrific play fielding Daric Barton’s one-hop throw and tagging out Brian Anderson, who tried to score from first on an errant pickoff attempt. It’s the type of play that hasn’t been made often enough this season. I think the biggest weakness in Kurt Suzuki’s game right now is handling close plays at the plate. Sometimes it seems he’s unsure when to block the plate and when to step out front to take a throw and make a sweep tag. 

Last year, Suzuki’s main goal was learning how to handle a major league pitching staff. This season he’s made great strides in his hitting. I would expect that he’ll arrive next spring looking to improve his all-around game behind the plate. With two former catchers on the staff — manager Bob Geren and bench coach Don Wakamatsu — you can bet that will be an emphasis next season … 

The A’s medical news comes fast and furious these days, so here’s the latest following Bob Geren’s daily pre-game media chat:

Eric Chavez’s right shoulder surgery took place today as expected and, according to team officials, it was tremendously successful (have you ever heard any professional team actually say that a player’s surgery was a disappointment?). Chavez actually had three different procedures performed on his shoulder area, all aimed at repairing and stabilizing his labrum. He also had some work done on his biceps tendon. 

The A’s had said they didn’t know what type of operating would be done until doctors began the surgery. The upshot is Chavez faces six months of rehab and that he should be ready to play at the end of that time, which would be right around the time spring training begins in mid-
February. He won’t start throwing for 4 1/2-to-5 months. “They were very, very pleased following surgery,” A’s trainer Steve Sayles said. “It’s all up to rehab now … but, you know, things happen.”

Don’t read too much into that last part. I think Sayles just meant that there aren’t any guarantees that surgery cures everything. We already know that based on Chavy’s three surgeries last off-season that weren’t the cure-all he hoped they would be. …

Today’s A’s lineup vs. the Rays: Mark Ellis 2B; Carlos Gonzalez CF; Frank Thomas DH; Jack Cust RF; Bobby Crosby SS; Jack Hannahan 1B; Kurt Suzuki C; Eric Patterson LF; Cliff Pennington 3B.

Geren said he wants to give Patterson more at-bats to show what he can do. Cust played some RF last year so we’ll see how that goes. Geren also wants to see Pennington, a switch hitter, bat from the left side with the Rays throwing a right-hander in Andy Sonnanstine. … Surprised to see Hannahan in the lineup instead of Barton? Hannahan is 3-for-8 with 2 HRs vs. Sonnanstine lifetime. He could certainly use some encouraging vibes as he walks to the plate, that’s for sure … 

The A’s just announced  that Ryan Sweeney was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a sprained right thumb he suffered last night while making a diving catch. Did anyone see that reaction of his on TV while he was tying his shoes in the dugout after that catch? He suddenly jumped out of his seat in pain and grabbed his hand. You knew then that something was wrong. It’s impressive the type of season Sweeney has put together considering the bumps and bruises he’s gotten along the way.

The A’s recalled Eric Patterson to take his spot on the roster. You’ll remember Patterson struggled mightily at the plate in his recent call-up, and he played left field while he was up. The obvious choice is to just plug Rajai Davis in at CF and shift Carlos Gonzalez to RF. But they might give Patterson a look in CF instead.

Just an update on the rain delay taking place here at Comerica Park. First pitch is now scheduled for 4:55 p.m. (West Coast time). That will amount to a 50-minute delay if indeed we start then. It poured pretty good about 90 minutes before the scheduled first pitch. Local weather reports predicted one last period of rain any time now, and officials wanted to let that pass rather than start the game and immediately have to stop it. … When we do get underway, Dan Meyer will be making his first start of the season for the A’s and fourth of his career. Ryan Sweeney and Jack Cust are back in the lineup after both sat out yesterday. The A’s lineup: R Sweeney RF; Mark Ellis 2B; Frank Thomas DH; Carlos Gonzalez CF; Jack Cust LF; Bobby Crosby SS; Kurt Suzuki C; Daric Barton 1B; Jack Hannahan 3B. … The Tigers: Curtis Granderson CF; Placido Polanco 2B; Marcus Thames LF; Magglio Ordonez RF; Miguel Cabrera 1B; Gary Sheffield DH; Ryan Raburn 3B; Edgar Renteria SS; Brandon Inge C …

I’m on board a train right now heading from Toronto to the Detroit area and thought I’d check in. I’ve never taken a train on a long trip before. No sign of Robert Redford or The Whammer on my car. Anyone seen “The Natural?” If so, you got that last reference. …

In today’s stories, I failed to mention that Brad Ziegler threw another shutout inning last night, running his record scoreless streak to start his career to 35. That leaves him two short of Oakland’s overall record for consecutive scoreless innings. Mike Torres had 37 straight in 1976. Ziegler is an amazing story. But it gets me to thinking about the A’s bullpen as a whole. It’s a little strange that when the ninth inning  rolls around, we have no idea who might be coming out to save a game. Bob Geren mentioned Ziegler and Jerry Blevins as possible options to close. You can probably throw Joey Devine in there too. And let’s remember, Huston Street is still an option. I have no  idea what to make of his situation right now. 

Something tells me most A’s fans would probably prefer to see Ziegler pitching the ninth right now. I can see why. But because a guy has success in the earlier innings doesn’t mean that will automatically translate to the ninth. Ziegler still has very few big league innings under his belt. And Blevins’ meltdown last night is a reminder that the A’s are relying on some very inexperienced guys down there.  Looking ahead to next season, who knows what the A’s might do with the closer spot? Should they give Street some more shots this season and determine whether  he gets first crack in ‘09? Will one of his ‘pen mates be ready for the role? Do they look toward free agency? How would you like to see the A’s set things up for next season?

More evidence to indicate just how bad the A’s offense is right now (so bad that you can make the argument this is the worst offense they’ve ever had). Check out this from Elias:

“The A’s have scored 17 runs over their past nine games [through Wednesday, all losses]. The last time the A’s had a nine-game span without a win with 17 runs or fewer was over 30 years ago. In June 1978, the A’s scored 11 runs over the final nine games of an 11-game losing streak.”

But on the bright side, Midland’s Aaron Cunningham (acquired in the Dan Haren trade) is fifth in the Texas League with a .899 OPS, and Chris Carter (also acquired for Haren) has 30 home runs, 87 RBI at Single-A Stockton. See, the A’s do have good hitters. It’s just that none of them are up here, yet.

For those who have been calling for the debut of hotshot pitching prospect Gio Gonzalez, your wish is being granted. Bob Geren said before tonight’s game that Gonzalez will be promoted to start tomorrow night in Toronto, filling the gap in the rotation left by Dana Eveland’s departure. It normally would be Justin Duchscherer’s turn, but the A’s are bumping him back a day to give him a bit more rest. This also keeps Gonzalez, a lefty, on his regular four days’ rest.

Because the A’s rotation has been very strong (until recently) this season, the A’s have been able to stash Gonzalez away at Triple-A and let him develop. He’s had some ups and downs this season but he’s coming off eight shutout innings in his last start, so it’s probably smart to grab him when the good vibes are rolling. You’ll remember that Baseball America immediately ranked Gonzalez, 22, as the A’s top pitching prospect when he came over from the White Sox in the Nick Swisher deal.

The best part of this story: Gonzalez didn’t have his passport with him in Sacramento when he got the news last night. So he arranged to have a friend meet him in Chicago (Gonzalez is from the Miami area) and do a passport exchange before he flew out to Toronto. He’s scheduled to arrive a bit later tonight.

The A’s won’t announce a corresponding roster move until tomorrow, but they’ll also have to clear a spot on the 40-man roster for him. They can do that by placing Eric Chavez on the 60-day disabled list if they wish.

There’s also still a chance that Dan Meyer gets a start somewhere in the coming days. Sean Gallagher is scheduled to go Saturday, but Geren hinted that Gallagher’s start might get pushed back a bit. However it shakes out, Duchscherer — who is 30 and in just his fifth full big league season — must feel like an old man in this rotation, wouldn’t you say?

The door continues to swing both ways in the A’s clubhouse, so here’s a quick update on today’s roster news: Dana Eveland was optioned to Triple-A following last night’s disaster and Dan Meyer was called up to take his place. … As I write this, we’re about an hour from first pitch and the A’s still don’t know who today’s starting pitcher will be. It’s Dallas Braden’s turn, but Braden has a nasty virus and hardly looked like someone ready to take the ball Sunday morning. Meyer, fresh off a red-eye flight that landed in Boston at 6:15 this morning, gets the start if Braden can’t go.

Eveland still looked shaken from the news before he left the clubhouse this morning. Understandable. After a couple of failed stints in the majors before, both he and the A’s seemed to think he figured out what it took to be a consistent big league pitcher. More than anything physical, Eveland said he hopes to get mentally tougher down in Sacramento. Expect the A’s to monitor his workload closely  considering the innings he’s piled up this season. … And the A’s are still trying to learn what they have in Meyer, the last of the three players still with the organization from the Tim Hudson trade. He was 10-5 with a 4.48 ERA for the River Cats and was among the PCL leaders in strikeouts. You figure he or Lenny DiNardo slips into Eveland’s rotation spot but Bob Geren said the A’s haven’t decided that yet. Never a dull moment around this team, and that’s saying something considering they’re 53-56!!!