Major League Baseball News

Kiger replaces Ellis on A's ALCS roster

Oct 10, 2006, 0:25 GMT

Oakland, CA - The Oakland Athletics, who have been decimated with injuries to their infield, have called upon Mark Kiger from Double-A Midland to add some depth for the American League Championship Series.

Athletics second baseman Mark Ellis will miss the remainder of the playoffs due to a fractured right index finger he suffered in last Wednesday's Game 2 of the Division Series against Minnesota. The A's swept that set and will face Detroit in the ALCS, starting Tuesday in Oakland.

This will be Kiger's first appearance on Oakland's 40-man roster. He was a fifth-round pick in 2002 and split last season between Midland and Triple-A Sacramento, hitting a combined .276 with nine homers and 34 RBI in 119 games.

Oakland announced its 25-man roster for the ALCS Monday. The A's will carry seven infielders with Nick Swisher expected to start at first base, D'Angelo Jimenez at second, Marco Scutaro at shortstop and Eric Chavez at third.

Also on the roster with infield experience are utility man Hiram Bocachica, who played six games this season at third with Triple-A Sacramento, catcher Adam Melhuse, who started one game at third, and first baseman Dan Johnson.

Shortstop Bobby Crosby has a strained lower back and infielder Antonio Perez has a fractured right index finger. Both players aren't expected back for the playoffs.

© 2006 The Sports Network