Ryan Sweeney : August 28th, 2008, 9:45 pm est

News: The Oakland Athletics activated outfielder Ryan Sweeney from the 15-day disabled list and started him in right field against the Minnesota Twins on Thursday night. Struggling outfielder Carlos Gonzalez was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento to make room for Sweeney. 'Ryan Sweeney is ready to play and we feel like Carlos could use some at-bats in the minor leagues to get his swing going again playing down there,' A's manager Bob Geren said. 'He's a very talented player and he's in a little bit of a slump right now.'

Analysis: Sweeney had been out with a sprained right thumb since Aug. 13 and went hitless in a one-game rehab assignment before joining his teammates for the start of a three-game series against the Twins. Sweeney was also on the DL earlier this season with a bruised toe. Consider him a sleeper for deeper AL-only leagues. Sweeney makes good contact, can post a high average and should get regular at-bats down the stretch