Notes: Semien returns; Chapman update

Marcus Semien was back in the A’s starting lineup for the first game of Tuesday’s doubleheader against the Astros in Oakland. The shortstop had missed the A's previous five games due to left side soreness that kept him out since the second game of a twin bill against the Astros in Houston on Aug. 29.

After taking batting practice on the field at the Oakland Coliseum prior to Monday’s 6-0 win over Houston, Semien was given the green light by A’s trainers to return to game action. Though he is feeling better, the club still plans to take a cautious approach with Semien, who is expected to sit for Tuesday's nightcap.

“I think what we’re talking about now is playing it day to day to see how he feels,” A’s manager Bob Melvin said. “See what kind of residual soreness he has in there. I think we probably look at the next doubleheader as maybe [playing] only one game as well. I think, more than anything, it depends on how he feels day to day.”

Semien’s late scratch on Aug. 29 snapped a streak of 276 consecutive games started, which was the second-longest streak in Oakland history (347 by Alfredo Griffin, April 9, 1985-April 30, 1987). He entered that game 7-for-13 with a double, a home run and two RBIs over his previous three contests, and he entered Tuesday slashing .229/.285/.379 with five home runs, 12 RBIs and 19 runs scored in 33 games this season.

Chapman wants 'to come back as soon as I can'
Matt Chapman was held out of any throwing or hitting on Tuesday as he deals with right hip tendinitis that forced him to leave Sunday’s 5-3 loss to the Padres. The third baseman is giving his body time to recover, though he is expected to resume baseball activities on Wednesday.

“Once you start doing baseball activity, there’s no telling how fast I can come back,” Chapman said. “I’m taking every day like I’m going to come back. I’m gonna work out and do what I can so I don’t lose too many days. My plan is to come back as soon as I can.”

While a return in this series is considered a long shot, the A’s still don’t plan on Chapman requiring a stint on the injured list.

“I know today we’re gonna give it another day and hopefully tomorrow we’ll have some more answers and more of a plan of attack on how to go about things,” Chapman said. “It’s definitely sore and still stiff, but it feels better than it did two days ago.”