MESA, Ariz. - Jaff Decker, who is in a dead heat with Alejandro De Aza for the A’s fifth outfield spot, is close to returning to game action after missing time with an oblique injury.
Decker said Thursday that he took 60 swings in the batting cage and manager Bob Melvin said that Decker would be doing on-field work, too, including catching flyballs.
Decker, who has missed six games so far, hopes to take batting practice Friday and if all goes well, to play in a minor-league game Saturday and be available to play for Oakland on Sunday.