A’s eagerly await Jed Lowrie’s return
The heart of the A’s batting order is lean with Josh Reddick (broken thumb) on the disabled list.
When Jed Lowrie comes off the DL on Wednesday, he figures to slide into Reddick’s No. 3 hole.
In addition to being able to play any infield position, the switch-hitting second baseman can bat throughout the order.
The 30-year-old, who signed a minor-league contract with Oakland in January, is batting .308 in six major-league appearances this season.
In the second inning of Friday’s 8-3 loss to the Yankees, McBride slapped an RBI single to left field.
With Josh Phegley (knee) on the disabled list and Stephen Vogt (wrist) unavailable, McBride earned the start at catcher Saturday.
Melvin said Vogt, who was hit in the wrist in the second inning Friday, will hopefully return to the lineup Sunday.
With Reddick on the DL, the A’s are using a committee approach in right field.
Yankees lineup: CF Ellsbury, 2B Castro, 1B Teixeira, DH Beltran, 3B Headley, LF Hicks, RF Refsnyder, C Romine, SS Torreyes.