Mike

Rouse

He had been on the DL since April 14 with a sore back.

Rouse, who would probably be called up if Bobby Crosby landed on the DL this year, is considered day-to-day.

Rouse had been out since June 14 with a strained lower back.

The A’s did just fine without Eric Chavez, Bobby Crosby and Mark Ellis tonight. Antonio Perez, who filled in for Chavez at third base, hit a two-run homer off Randy Johnson for just his second hit of the season. Rouse’s performance should earn him a second start on Saturday even if Chavez or Crosby returns.

Rouse’s stock has fallen the last couple of years, and he was hitting an unspectacular .274/.363/.399 in 168 at-bats for Sacramento. That he’s on the 40-man roster and Keith Ginter isn’t was the main reason he was called up. The A’s have him starting at second base tonight, but it’s unlikely that he’ll have any fantasy value.

After starting three days in a row immediately following his callup, Rouse was given little playing time the last couple of weeks. He ended up at .292/.346/.417 in 24 at-bats.

The A’s are expected to bring up an infielder and it should be either Rouse or D’Angelo Jimenez. Rouse had a minor back injury last week or he might have already been recalled.

Rouse beat out Joe Inglett, Hector Luna and Luis Rivas for the utility man job coming of spring training, but then hit .119 in 67 at-bats.

Playing half his games in U.S. Cellular Field, Eldred would probably be good for about 35 homers if given 550 at-bats. However, his OBP would fall somewhere in the .250-.300 range. He’ll likely be the first baseman at Triple-A Charlotte. Rouse’s arrival completes a non-trade failed utilitymen with the Indians (Andy Gonzalez signed a minor league deal with Cleveland earlier this witner). Liefer is back after hitting .256/.321/.552 in 281 at-bats in Japan over the last two years.