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MESA, Ariz. — When Dustin Fowler slammed into an unpadded electrical box in foul territory in Chicago last year, rupturing a patellar tendon, there were concerns that the damage to his right knee might be a major career setback.

On Sunday, Fowler played in his first game since the injury. Eight months removed from surgery, he played center field and he led off in the A’s 4-4 tie with Kansas City. He walked in his second plate appearance and singled in his third.

“It felt great,” Fowler said. “My at-bats went a lot better than I was expecting. I was expecting them to be a little more ambush-y and quick at-bats. ... I kind of did a little bit of everything, so it felt good.”

Fowler said he didn’t think much about the knee until whacking a foul ball off it in the fifth inning.

“It was a quick reminder it’s still there,” he said. “Other than that, I didn’t feel anything. I felt normal. ... I’m glad I finally got a game in so I could stop anticipating.”

Back to Gallery Back from knee injury, A’s Dustin Fowler makes... 2 1 of 2 Photo: Justin Edmonds, Getty Images 2 of 2 Photo: Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images



Manager Bob Melvin called Fowler “really graceful” in the outfield.

“He made a really good impression,” Melvin said.

Fowler, acquired in the Sonny Gray deal with the Yankees in July, heard from former Yankees teammates congratulating him on his return.

He didn’t see action in center until after starter A.J. Puk left; Puk, the A’s top prospect, retired all six men he faced and only one ball left the infield.

“He throws the ball hard, you could tell from the outfield,” Fowler said. “It’s always fun playing behind a pitcher who’s pretty dominant, so you don’t have to do much.”

Núñez, Chapman updates: Corner infielder/left fielder Renato Núñez will miss at least a week with a left hamstring strain.

“Let’s start with that, but my guess is it might be more,” Melvin said.

Hamstring strains typically require two to three weeks of recovery time, and often up to six weeks. Núñez was injured while scoring on a single in Saturday’s win over the Angels. He is out of options, and the A’s had planned to get a good look at him at third base while Matt Chapman is out with right hand soreness.

Chapman probably will not miss much time after getting a cortisone shot Thursday. He said Sunday that he’s feeling better, and Melvin said Chapman will start throwing Monday.

Chapman is eager to get back into the lineup, saying, “I don’t know what to do with myself.”

“He’s driving everyone absolutely crazy,” Melvin said.

More updates: Reliever Ryan Dull is the latest A’s player with some early-spring aches and pains. The right-hander has shoulder discomfort and will be held back briefly while he recovers.

“He’s a little sore. We’ll probably scoot him back a little bit in his next outing,” Melvin said.

Daniel Gossett, scratched from Sunday’s start with back tightness, threw at a distance of 120 feet and will throw a bullpen session Monday. He will be worked back into the game schedule later in the week.

Gossett first felt the issue in the weight room — after a workout.

“I was actually just putting weights up, cleaning up after myself,” Gossett said.

Melvin said that minor-league shortstop Jorge Mateo, who strained a knee ligament this winter, is beginning a running progression.

“The main thing is slowing down and stopping, and when you run that fast, it’s a significant issue,” Melvin said.

Susan Slusser is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: sslusser@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @susanslusser

A’s 4, Royals 4

Notable: Jed Lowrie, who set Oakland’s season doubles record last year, doubled in his first plate appearance of the spring. “Marcus Semien told me it came one game too late — it could have been No. 50 last year,” Lowrie said. ... Jake Smolinski, the leading backup center-field candidate, hit a three-run homer in the fourth. “We’re pulling for him to have a healthy year and a good spring,” manager Bob Melvin said. “He’s just a good kid and a hard worker.” ... Ryan Buchter threw a scoreless inning with two strikeouts against his former team. “I’ve played for eight teams now, so that’s going to be common,” Buchter said. “It’s good to get the confidence ball rolling.” ... Kendall Graveman will start Monday, Sean Manaea on Tuesday.

Quotable: “What can you say? I’ve seen him for two innings and he looks ready to me.”

— Lowrie on starter A.J. Puk, who retired all six men he faced

Monday: A’s at White Sox, 12:05 p.m.

— Susan Slusser