Esteban

German

Catcher Mike Rose, outfielder Nick Swisher, first baseman Dan Johnson and pitchers Jairo Garcia and Justin Lehr also are likely call-ups, though any additional moves besides German probably would not come until after the A’s return home from their next trip, accoridng to Manager Ken Macha.

He initially suffered the injury during spring training and was sidelined for the final two weeks of camp.

Esteban German, Graham Koonce, Mike Edwards, Jason Grabowski, Mark Johnson and Jeremy Fikac are expected to join the team. German is the only one who might see a fair amount of playing time the final two weeks. He’s certainly worth holding on to for 2004.

Either German or Marco Scutaro will make the A’s if Frank Menechino isn’t ready for the start of the season. Both players are worthy of roster spots, but the fact that Scutaro is out of options hurts German’s case.

He can only field and pinch-run at the moment. If his health does not improve, German could be placed on the disabled list Friday to make room for Eric Chavez on the 25-man roster.

He could be ready to return from the disabled list in the next 10-14 days.

He did not play in the field, as he was the Rivercats’ DH. German, who will likely play a few more games in the minors on medical rehab, could be activated off the disabled list within the next week.

He could be activated off the disabled list before the end of the month.

No Doug Mientkiewicz, Matt Stairs or Ryan Shealy left German and Paul Phillips as the possibilities to play first base. German probably won’t see any additional time at the position.

German’s homer came in his 172nd at-bat as a major leaguer. He’s hitting .394/.476/.465 in 71 at-bats, but he’s still not playing regularly for the Royals.