Decision day for Zobrist
ANAHEIM — Ben Zobrist’s health status is still something of an unknown, even after the A’s multipurpose player hit in the batting cage Wednesday, from each side.
Zobrist, who had a cortisone shot Monday evening, said he still “feels weird” in his left knee, although he could hit without pain. Thursday will be the important day: He will take batting practice on the field, take groundballs and shag flyballs and run the bases.
“If I can feel 100 percent with those things, I think I play,” Zobrist said. “If not, we’ll have to re- evaluate and see whatever other options there are.”
Should all go well, Zobrist could be back in Oakland’s lineup Friday. If his knee still feels unstable, arthroscopic surgery would be the most obvious potential procedure. Arthroscopic knee surgery typically requires 3- to- 6 weeks of recovery time.
Outfielder Coco Crisp had arthroscopic elbow surgery April 3. On Wednesday, he threw at a distance of 60 feet and took dry swings both left- handed and right- handed. Crisp isn’t expected back until mid to late May.
Like father, like son: Ike Davis, the A’s first baseman, turned in some outstanding work on the mound Tuesday, getting three outs on nine pitches in a 14- 1 loss.
“I’m glad he had that opportunity,” said his dad, former major- league reliever Ron Davis.
Davis thinks the A’s should have his son throw regular bullpen sessions just to keep him ready if needed in a lengthy extra innings game or in the event of an injury. “It could really be a benefit the organization,” Davis said. “He’s platooning now; why not have him throw a bullpen session once a week?”
The one down side of Ike’s night for Ron Davis: “I got about 500 texts today from people telling me that Ike’s ERA is better than mine!” Ron said. He had a 4.05 ERA in a career that included 481 appearances for the Yankees, Twins, Cubs, Dodgers and Giants.
Manager Bob Melvin joked that he almost wrote Davis’ name on the other side of the lineup card — with the relievers.
Briefly: Right- hander Chris Bassitt will be called up to be the long reliever Thursday. ... R. J. Alvarez was sent to Triple-A Nashville, but Melvin said that was based on the fact that Alvarez threw 47 pitches Tuesday, not on performance ( he gave up seven runs, six earned).