Second base a rare uncertainty in A’s camp

MESA, Ariz. — Assuming health, A's camp holds few roster questions. More than one could start to take focus Tuesday, when Jed Lowrie makes his Cactus League debut.

Lowrie, bidding for Oakland's second-base job on a minor-league deal, so far has taken at-bats and grounders on back fields. Games will present a different test given that Lowrie, 36, has played little the past two seasons and had knee surgery in October.

Lowrie's situation is something of a lead domino for other decisions on the position player side. Whether he seizes the role has implications at second base and further down the roster.

If Lowrie shows the A's he can play second regularly, it also lends some order to a projected four-man bench. A backup catcher will hold one spot. Chad Pinder and Tony Kemp are valuable utilitymen who can play infield and outfield. A switchhitter, Lowrie would help counter a righthanded majority in the A's lineup — already less of a concern with Mitch Moreland in tow. The A's could fill the final bench spot as they see fit.

If Lowrie does not claim a roster spot, things change. Pinder and Kemp could platoon at second base but would thus be less free to roam. The A's would need to prioritize the remaining spots between infield depth (possibly Vimael Machin) and a group of backup-outfielder candidates including Seth Brown, Luis Barrera, Rule 5 pick Ka'ai Tom and early spring standout Buddy Reed.

“I guess we see where Jed is physically,” A's manager Bob Melvin said Monday when asked how the secondbase picture will influence bench makeup. “That's probably what it revolves around.

“I don't think it changes the complement, at least at this point. We feel pretty good about Jed.”

Baserunning was the last hurdle Lowrie had to clear before games, so his mobility bears watching. A's hitting coach Darren Bush said Lowrie's swing, at least, appears healthy.

“He looks great,” Bush said. “He's using his lower half really well . ... He needs atbats, but as far as his batting practice and his cage work goes, he looks great. It's the same swing that I saw the last time he was here playing for us.”

Kemp played second base Monday and has made all five of his Cactus League starts there. Melvin said the A's still plan to move Kemp around and “you'll see him in the outfield a little more.” Pinder, in five games, has played third base, shortstop, right field and DH. That list does not include the two positions he has played most in the majors, left field and second base.

“The guys you have on the bench need to have some versatility,” Melvin said. “You have limited moves, and when you have limited moves, you want to make sure some of these guys can do multiple things . ... In this game, you're seeing more and more of these guys are able to do that.”