In a somewhat risky move, the Oakland Athletics have named OF Travis Buck to their Opening Day 25-Man Roster.  Buck, a 23 year old from Richland, Washington, had an outstanding Spring with the big club in 2007, hitting 21 times during 62 AB’s.  His Spring Average was up at .339 by March 30th, and Buck cranked his first Spring Homer last weekend.  

Travis appeared in nine games with Vancouver during the 2005 season, and after hitting 13 times in 36 AB’s, was called-up to Kane County, where in 32 games he hit .341 to finish off the season.

In 2006, after starting with Stockton (where he hit .349 in 34 games), Buck was called up to AA Midland, where he played in 50 games (With an average of .302 and 4 dingers) before an injury ended his season.

Buck was expected to start in AA Midland or AAA Sacramento this season, but of course he’s happy being with Oakland until OF Mark Kotsay returns to the lineup after Back Surgery.  Kotsay should be back my Mid-April, but if Buck impresses before then, who knows maybe Bobby Kielty will be the one in AAA instead of Travis.

PITCHERS (12)
15 Dan Haren, RHP
20 Huston Street, RHP
37 Joe Kennedy, LHP
40 Rich Harden, RHP
41 Alan Embree, LHP
45 Jay Witasick, RHP
50 Kiko Calero, RHP
52 Jay Marshall, LHP
55 Joe Blanton, RHP
56 Lenny DiNardo, LHP
57 Chad Gaudin, RHP
58 Justin Duchscherer, RHP

CATCHERS (2)
17 Adam Melhuse, C
18 Jason Kendall, C

INFIELDERS (6)
3 Eric Chavez, 3B
7 Bobby Crosby, SS
12 Todd Walker, IF
14 Mark Ellis, 2B
19 Marco Scutaro, IF
31 Mike Piazza, DH

OUTFIELDERS (5)
6 Travis Buck, OF
22 Milton Bradley, OF
23 Bobby Kielty, OF
24 Shannon Stewart, OF
33 Nick Swisher, 1B/OF

COACHING STAFF
53 Bob Geren, Manager
16 Rene Lachemann, Coach
35 Brad Fischer, Coach
36 Tye Waller, Coach
38 Bob Schaefer, Coach
39 Ty Van Burkleo, Coach
48 Curt Young, Coach

DISABLED LIST (3)
21 Mark Kotsay, OF (Lower back surgery, eligible for reinstatement on April 7)
25 Esteban Loaiza, RHP (Spasms in right trapezius, eligible for reinstatement on April 9)
29 Dan Johnson, 1B (Torn labrum in left hip, eligible for reinstatement on April 11)