The Oakland Athletics announced their final roster cuts and their were actually a couple of surprises in the final roster spots. Among others that made the 25-man active roster to start 2011 were infielder Andy LaRoche and pitcher (formerly starting, now relieving) Bobby Cramer. LaRoche was battling Eric Sogard for the utility infield role and Sogard seemed to have the edge given his history with both middle infield positions. However, LaRoche hit the cover off the ball and forced himself onto the Opening Day Roster. LaRoche was not on the 40-man roster, so to make room for him the A's placed Adam Rosales on the 60-day disabled list (fractured foot) retroactive to March 22.
Bobby Cramer was battling Tyson Ross and Brandon McCarthy for the fifth starter role. McCarthy emerged fairly quickly as the guy, with Ross appearing to be the runner-up. Ross had a strong spring, but it sounds like the A's are looking to keep him working as a starter, rather than a reliever. The A's have had enough injuries in recent years that it shouldn't surprise anybody to see Ross up in Oakland in short order. After all, Trevor Cahill got his big break when Brett Anderson went down with an injury last season.
Speaking of injuries, the A's made some disabled list moves prior to Opening Day. Aside from Rosales going to the 60-day disabled list, Andrew Bailey (strained right forearm) and Rich Harden (strained right shoulder) on the 15-day disabled list.
Pitchers
LHP Brett Anderson
RHP Grant Balfour
LHP Jerry Blevins
LHP Dallas Braden
LHP Craig Breslow
RHP Trevor Cahill
LHP Bobby Cramer
LHP Brian Fuentes
LHP Gio Gonzalez
RHP Brandon McCarthy
RHP Michael Wuertz
RHP Brad Ziegler
Catchers
Landon Powell
Kurt Suzuki
Infielders
1B Daric Barton
2B Mark Ellis
3B Kevin Kouzmanoff
Utility Andy LaRoche
SS Cliff Pennington
Outfielders
Coco Crisp
David DeJesus
Conor Jackson
Ryan Sweeney
Josh Willingham
Designated Hitter
Hideki Matsui
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