It was only a matter of when. The oft-injured Eric Chavez was placed on the 15-day disabled list on Saturday with neck spasms, according to a team press release.
According to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle, Chavez said an MRI revealed a bulging disc in his neck. The injury apparently stems from a collision with a teammate during a drill in spring training. He has tried to play through the pain with the help of traction treatment, but as his .234/.276/.333 batting line indicates, he’s done more harm than good at the plate.
With Coco Crisp finally off the disabled list, Jack Cust figured to take over as the regular designated hitter, anyway. Cust is batting .333 (7-for-21) with two RBI since being called up from the minors last Saturday.
Chavez, 32, has talked about retirement many times before and even acknowledged to Slusser on Saturday that this could be it.
Chavez is currently in the final year of a six-year, $66 million contract. The Athletics will have to cut him a $3 million check to buy out his $12.5 million option for next season. Not a bad going away present.
