Kila

Ka'aihue

Ka’aihue is hitting a pedestrian .258 this spring, but it’s come along with a .939 OPS. The soon-to-be 28-year-old is out of options, so he’ll need to be passed through waivers if he doesn’t crack the Opening Day roster.

The A’s picked Ka’aihue over Brandon Allen earlier this month, and he’s played well in limited action, going 12-for-36. If he can get his power stroke going, he could wrestle the first-base job away from the struggling Daric Barton.

Ka’aihue was 1-for-13 in his previous three starts and he hadn’t homered in 64 at-bats this season prior to tonight. The A’s are waiting for either he or Daric Barton to step up and claim the starting job at first base. Ka’aihue helped his cause tonight.

There was some thought that he may share time with Kila Ka’aihue, but evidently Barton will be in the lineup most days. Unfortunately, with a career .252 average and 26 homers over 1,470 at-bats, he simply doesn’t offer much in the way of upside for fantasy owners.

All signs point to Tyson Ross getting the call, so they’ll have to make a corresponding move. Ka’aihue, 28, is out of options, and will need to be passed through waivers. He’s batting .375 in three games this season.

We’re assuming he’s just getting the night off. Coco Crisp will start in center field Monday while Seth Smith will play left and Kila Ka’aihue will DH.

Ka’aihue hasn’t played since Friday due to right hamstring soreness. Consider him day-to-day for now. Daric Barton will make the start at first base Monday while Jonny Gomes serves as the DH against right-hander Dan Haren.

Ka’aihue hasn’t played since Friday due to right hamstring soreness. The 28-year-old is hitting .292/.354/.431 with one homer, seven doubles and a .785 OPS over 79 plate appearances with the A’s this season.

With Brandon McCarthy expected to come off the disabled list (shoulder) Saturday, a position player, likely Barton or Kila Ka’aihue, will be dropped. Working against Barton is the fact he has options left. Ka’aihue, if demoted, would be subject to waivers.

It was originally speculated that Ka’aihue would be placed on paternity leave, as his wife is scheduled to deliver twins soon, but obviously that’s not the case. He’s been replaced on the roster and at first base by Brandon Moss. Ka’aihue figures to report to Triple-A Sacramento if he clears waivers.