McPherson among those Athletics reassign to minors

Mar 14, 2010 - 6:42 PM PHOENIX(AP) -- Former major league infielder Dallas McPherson was among the 10 players the Oakland Athletics reassigned to their minor league camp on Sunday.

The team also reassigned right-handed pitchers Sam Demel and Matt Wright, left-handed pitcher Cedrick Bowers, catchers Joel Galarraga and Max Stassi, and infielders Grant Green, Jemile Weeks, Matt Whitney and Corey Wimberly.

The Athletics have 53 players remaining in camp with the 40-man roster and 13 non-roster invitees. The breakdown includes 27 pitchers, four catchers, 12 infielders and 10 outfielders.

McPherson has played in parts of three seasons with the Los Angeles Angels and Florida Marlins, hitting .245 with 16 home runs and 45 RBIs in 128 career games. He missed last year with back problems.

McPherson hit a home run in Sunday's 10-9 win over the San Diego Padres, a solo shot that tied the game in the bottom of the ninth.

"He's looking healthy and we're happy he's in our organization," A's manager Bob Geren said. "Right now (Kevin) Kouzmanoff is going to start to play a lot more and we're going to use Daric Barton and Eric Chavez at first more often, so we wanted Dallas to keep his at-bats up."

Chavez was scheduled to play in back-to-back games for the first time Monday when the A's host the Kansas City Royals. Geren said it was a planned progression but that it did signal a significant point in Chavez's recovery from shoulder and back issues.

"There's no doubt he's worked very hard with his body," Geren said. "He's a strong-willed guy with a desire to come back and have a good year."

Also, right-hander Justin Duchscherer was bumped back a day to give him a chance to throw a full bullpen session. He will throw in a minor league game on Wednesday.