To clear a spot on the 40-man roster for Eric Chavez (back), Oakland designated outfielder Jeff Fiorentino for assignment.

Eric Chavez returned to the Oakland Athletics a few days ahead of schedule. The A's activated their six-time Gold Glove third baseman from the 60-day disabled list Thursday and put him in the starting lineup as designated hitter for the finale of a three-game series with the Toronto Blue Jays. As expected, Oakland placed Frank Thomas on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right knee and quadriceps tendinitis.

A's activate 3B Chavez from DL

A's to activate Chavez, place Thomas on DL

The Sports Xchange reports that Eric Chavez went 1-for-4 with a solo homer in a rehab game for Triple-A Sacramento. He's expected to play again Thursday and get Friday off.

Report: Chavez set to return June 6

Eric Chavez, Oakland's six-time Gold Glove winning 3B recovering from offseason back surgery, was slated to play nine innings at third for Triple-A Sacramento Wednesday after working as DH on Tuesday. He is scheduled to DH again Thursday, have a day off Friday, DH again Saturday then start at 3B and play nine innings June 1-3. He could come off the DL after that.

The Sports Xchange notes that Eric Chavez DH'd for Triple-A Sacramento on Tuesday, going 0-for-2 with two walks, and A's manager Bob Geren said that Chavez could return to Oakland once he has played three full games in a row at third.

Eric Chavez may return next week

Report: Chavez 'not too far off'

Athletics 3B Eric Chavez will likely need more time before returning from a back injury that has sidelined him all year. The A's six-time Gold Glove winner, due to come off the 60-day disabled list Tuesday, has been playing for Triple-A Sacramento. But the 30-year-old Chavez has not played an entire nine-inning game for the River Cats and until that happens, Oakland manager Bob Geren said the team is unlikely to activate him. "I don't want to predict anything right now," Geren said Friday before the A's game against Boston. "But obviously he has to play nine innings."

Report: Chavez could return Tuesday

The Sports Xchange reports that Eric Chavez (back surgery) did not play for Triple-A Sacramento on Tuesday, instead doing defensive drills with minor league infield instructor Juan Navarrete. Chavez is likely to play Wednesday, and there remains a possibility he'll be activated when eligible on May 27. Chavez is hitting .462 for Sacramento.

Chavez plays third base

Chavez homers in Triple-A game

Eric Chavez is 4-for-10 with a homer and two doubles on his Triple-A rehab assignment.

Chavez takes a day off from rehab assignment

Chavez goes 0-for-4 in rehab debut

A's 3B Eric Chavez (back) played in his first rehab game for Triple-A Sacramento Thursday. Chavez started at DH and hit leadoff against Salt Lake. Unfortunately, he was hitless in four at-bats and struck out once.

Chavez scheduled to begin rehab stint

Athletics 3B Eric Chavez will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Sacramento on Thursday. Chavez is on the 60-day DL after offseason back surgery. He took about 25 groundballs and early batting practice. "He had a really nice day ... moved very well," manager Bob Geren said. "It was by far his best day."

Chavez works out, looks to retun May 27

On Friday, Athletics 3B Eric Chavez, who is on the 60-day DL recovering from back surgery, took about 25 groundballs and early batting practice. "He had a really nice day ... moved very well," manager Bob Geren said. "It was by far his best day." Geren said Chavez could begin a minor-league rehab assignment in one to two weeks. "The only thing he has yet to do is field bunts and slow-hit grounders, charge the ball," Geren said. "He's a big-time Gold Glove player. ... He has a goal. He's trying to shoot for something and go from there."

According to the Sports Xchange notes: 3B Eric Chavez (right shoulder surgery in September 2007, lower back surgery in October 2007, left shoulder surgery in November 2007) opened the season on the 15-day disabled list, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on April 24. Chavez took batting practice on April 25, and he fielded grounders for the first time April 30. The team website reported Chavez could start a rehab assignment around May 16.

Chavez doesn't expect to come off when ready

MLB.com reports injured A's 3B Eric Chavez (back) is ready to grab a bat and play in a game, but he doesn't expect to be activated from the 60-day DL when he becomes eligible May 27. Chavez has yet to play in a game this season because of a chronic back problem, but has been taking batting practice and fielding grounders. Chavez has talked with management about being a DH, but that idea has been nixed. "They wanted me to come back to play defense and be the complete player they signed me to be," he said. "But I haven't been limited in swinging for the longest time. It's the one thing I've been able to do that's pain-free. But it's frustrating, because I know I could be hitting right now. I want to be helping."

Eric Chavez is a ways away from a rehab assignment, according to The Sports Xchange. On Thursday, he fielded grounders again, making it back-to-back days. Manager Bob Geren said the third baseman felt even better the second time around. Manager Bob Geren said it's too early to project a return date for Chavez, but he was encouraged by Thursday's activity.

The Sports Xchange reports that A's 3B Eric Chavez took grounders Wednesday for the first time since receiving a second epidural in March for his surgically repaired back. Chavez, who is six months removed from surgery, has been hitting and running already. The team is aiming for Chavez to return around May 28.

Eric Chavez fields grounders for first time