DH bombshell: Chavez in, Cust out

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In an unexpected move, the A's put the brunt of their power in Eric Chavez's hands Saturday, designating Jack Cust for assignment and replacing him as the designated hitter with Chavez.

"I think it's messed up," Cust said in a phone interview with The Chronicle after leaving the stadium. "They're going to go on 50 at-bats after three years of what I've done here? It's ridiculous. A lot of other guys have had bad springs. This is a joke.

"The fact is, this team has no power and they've just released a guy who (averaged 28 homers) the last three years. That's amazing."

Cust has led the team in homers three years in a row, and the A's appear to have even less power this season. In explaining the move, general manager Billy Beane pointed to Cust's inability to get going this spring (he hit .216 with one homer, three RBIs and 20 strikeouts in 51 at-bats). Beane said that the team wants to see what Chavez can do as full-time DH, and both of them are left-handed hitters.

Before leaving the Coliseum, Cust said he would consider a minor-league assignment with Oakland if he clears waivers, and that is what the A's hope happens, according to Beane.

Cust would have to accept the assignment to get his full guaranteed salary of $2.65 million, and Saturday evening, he said, "I've got to do what's best for my family, but I'm not going to let (the A's) just walk all over me.

"I've busted my butt for them for three years, and I played sporadically this spring and they leave it until the day before the regular season to do this, like they didn't know what was going on before? And with Coco (Crisp) on the DL (broken pinkie) - I'm not good enough to be one of the 25 guys?"

Also in question: Can Chavez handle the everyday DH role? It is something that not only did he not anticipate, he had not been informed about it until he spoke to The Chronicle on Saturday evening.

"I had no idea," Chavez said, surprise evident in his voice. "I didn't even know. Nobody's talked to me. I was definitely preparing myself to play in the field, so it is weird. Plus, I never would have tried to play short and third and stuff if I'd known."

Chavez, who is recovering from multiple back and shoulder surgeries, was expected to be limited to four days a week, so it is unclear if his body can handle the everyday DH job. Jake Fox can serve as the right-handed hitting DH to give Chavez a breather.

"I would think I would have a better chance at DH than in the field," Chavez said of a full-time role. "But they'd told me I wasn't going to DH. So I don't know."

Beane, asked about Chavez's ability to withstand everyday play said, "We're going to find out. It's a physical thing which he seems to have gotten through during spring training."

Daric Barton's outstanding spring had much to do with these moves. Although his average declined to .265, he was the team's best hitter much of the spring and is an excellent first baseman.

Pitching moves: Another surprise Saturday was the promotion of Double-A starter Tyson Ross, who went to Cal, to the big-league bullpen.

In addition, right-hander Trevor Cahill (left shoulder soreness) joined the DL, with left-hander Gio Gonzalez winning the fifth-starter spot. Andrew Bailey, Oakland's Rookie of the Year closer, gave the team a scare in the ninth inning, leaving the game with a tweaked left knee, but he's fine. Brad Kilby and Henry Rodriguez were sent down, with right-hander Edwar Ramirez making the club.

Ross, sensational this spring, will be used in much the way Bailey was last year, manager Bob Geren said. Like Bailey, Ross, a right-hander, has not pitched above Double-A.

"Great news," said the 22-year-old Ross, the team's lone rookie. "It's all kind of a shock."

Crisp out 3-8 weeks: Crisp was convinced his left pinkie was dislocated when he was tagged by Juan Uribe on a steal attempt Friday, but as it turns out, the finger is fractured from the base to the first knuckle, and he will miss anywhere from three to eight weeks.

"I always say I can be a good player if I can just stay healthy," said Crisp, who missed most of last year after shoulder surgeries. "But - I'm going to use this ironically - I can't seem to get a good break. I always get the bad one."

Briefly: Travis Buck will be the Opening Night left fielder, though he wasn't expected to make the team until Crisp's injury. ... Adam Rosales will be the A's backup middle infielder and out-of-options utilityman Eric Patterson also made the club. ... Fox is the backup catcher, supplanting Landon Powell. ... Regular-season number changes for Oakland: Cliff Pennington goes from No. 26 to No. 2 and Gabe Gross from No. 28 to No. 18.

Season openers

MLB: N.Y. Yankees at Boston, 5:05 p.m. today ESPN2

Giants: at Houston, 4:05 p.m. Monday CSNBA

A's: vs. Seattle, 7:05 p.m. Monday CSNCA