A’s Chavez Not Done Yet

Despite two bulging disks in his neck, designated-hitter, Eric Chavez could return with the A’s sometime next week. Chavez, who was hitting .234 with 1 homer and 10 RBIs before being placed on the 15-day DL, says that he’s been feeling better and that he has no current plans for retirement. Chavez, who became the A’s full-time DH at the beginning of the season, might have lost his starting DH role to Jack Cust, who has been the A’s DH since getting called up from Triple-A.

Since arriving in Oakland via trade during the 2007 season, Cust has led the A’s in homers for the past three seasons. Last season, Cust belted 25, and the season before that he had 33. While Cust has led the A’s in the home run department, he’s also been somewhat of a liability in the field, and has had his share of problems with strikeouts. Cust has not played particularly well in the OF, and does not possess great defensive skills. Thus making Cust best suited for the DH position. If Chavez does indeed comeback, I don’t see where he’ll end up. The A’s could split time between Chavez and Cust, but that would be redundant—at least that what is was thought to be back in April. Cust currently has struck out 21 times in just 19 games this season. Chavez, if healthy, could potentially help the team in a utility-type role—but that’s only if he’s healthy.

For right now, Chavez is just trying to get himself ready for a rehab assignment—as early as next week.