Jemile

Weeks

The dingers, which were both of the solo variety, came off Martin Perez and Neil Ramirez. Rickie’s little brother has had a big spring to this point, batting .419 with three homers and nine RBI. He should provide plenty of fantasy value in 2012 if he can remain healthy.

It’s just a scheduled day off for Weeks. Eric Sogard is starting at second base and hitting eighth. Luke Hughes is at third base after returning to the lineup Saturday.

Weeks already has as many homers in 34 at-bats this year as he finished with in 406 at-bats as a rookie. Unfortunately, he isn’t doing much else yet. He’s batting .206, his only ribbies have come on the solo homers and he’s 1-for-2 stealing bases.

Weeks didn’t play Sunday after rolling his ankle during Saturday’s game, but it isn’t considered serious. The 25-year-old second baseman is hitting .205/.279/.307 with two homers, five RBI, nine stolen bases and a .586 OPS across 141 plate appearances this year.

Weeks stayed in the game to cover the top of the fourth inning defensively but was pulled soon after. Expect him to be listed as day-to-day. It wouldn’t be surprising if he sat out Sunday’s series-finale against the Tigers.

Weeks was removed from Saturday’s game after rolling his ankle while running out of the batter’s box. He insists that he’ll be back in the lineup Monday.

He also stole his sixth base, showing no ill effects from the groin tightness that forced him to miss Sunday’s game. The young second baseman is struggling mightily with a .188/.260/.304 batting line, but is a good bet to straighten things out soon.

His average dropped to .184 on the year, but Weeks is currently tied for fifth in the American League with five steals. Weeks never hit worse than .288 in any month last season and is long overdue for a breakout. He had been out since Wednesday with groin tightness.

He also missed Wednesday’s game last week due to the ailment, and after playing 12 innings on artificial turf Saturday, the A’s thought it would be wise to rest him. The injury isn’t considered a big deal, though, and Weeks should be back in there Tuesday following Monday’s off day.

A’s manager Bob Melvin said Weeks could probably play, but he didn’t want to take any chances with the team having an off day Thursday. Weeks is expected to be return to the lineup on Friday.