It appears designated hitter Billy Butler, one of the highest paid players on the low-budget Oakland Athletics, has been reduced to a platoon role.
Butler, signed to a three-year $30 million deal prior to last season, started each of the A's first three games against left-handers, but was was out of the lineup for the fourth straight game on Sunday with the club facing Mariners right-hander Felix Hernandez.
Manager Bob Melvin would not use the “p” word, saying only that Melvin’s next start will come Tuesday against Angels left-hander Hector Santiago.