PHOENIX -- Dana Eveland is ready to help pick up the slack for his injured Oakland teammate Justin Duchscherer.
Eveland pitched two scoreless innings in the Athletics' 7-2 victory over a Chicago White Sox split squad on Wednesday, and was told his next start would be moved up a day as the team adapts to the absence of their No. 1 starter.
"I'll pitch when they tell me to pitch," Eveland said.
Duchscherer, who has yet to appear in a spring game, had an MRI of his sore elbow Tuesday. The test showed no significant damage, but a doctor recommended the two-time All-Star rest his arm for a week.
Duchscherer will visit Los Angeles Angels team doctor Dr. Lewis Yocum for a second opinion.
Eveland and right-hander Sean Gallagher were told they'd pitch two innings each on short rest then go back to a normal five-day routine.
It that holds, Gallagher would be in line to start on opening day with the left-handed Eveland going the next day.
"With the pool of contenders for the fifth spot, there's now a possibility of finding a fourth and fifth starter," A's manager Bob Geren said. "Dr. [Douglas] Freedburg said no throwing for a week and that is where we're at. [Duchscherer's] opening day start is definitely in jeopardy."
White Sox starter Lance Broadway retired seven of the first eight batters and then failed to record another out in 2 1/3 innings, giving up four runs on four hits. He walked three and struck out two. He had pitched five scoreless innings before the big inning.
"He knows how to get guys out," White Sox catcher Chris Stewart said. "He was pounding the strike zone and keeping the ball down. He may have gotten a little tired but it's early and pitchers are still working on things. He can build on the positive of the first two innings."
Dayan Viciedo, the 19-year-old third baseman from Cuba, hit his second home run of the spring and drove in two runs for the White Sox.
"Over time I've been getting a little more accustomed to things," Viciedo said through an interpreter. "I feel more comfortable with this system and these pitchers. I know teams are trying to get me to swing at balls out of the zone and that's where I need to get better."
Eveland still hasn't allowed a hit in four spring innings but he walked two and struck out a batter.
"It was the first time I threw from the stretch," said Eveland, who had retired 10 in a row to start the spring. "I was kind of confused. I also tried my first pickoff throw and nearly threw it away."
Brent Lillibridge, who had three hits, led off the game by drilling Eveland with a sharp grounder to the right hip muscle. Jack Hannahan barehanded the ball and made the play to first.
Jerome Williams, who hasn't pitched in a major league game since May 2007, allowed two runs and three hits in his two innings for the A's. He walked two and did not strike out a batter. The right-hander is in contention for a starting spot.
Notes
A's 2B Mark Ellis made his spring debut, striking out as a pinch hitter in the fifth inning. ... White Sox RHPs Ryan Braun (right elbow), Bartolo Colon (right elbow) and Jose Contreras (ruptured left Achilles tendon) each participated in a throwing session. All three are expected to throw two more side sessions before throwing batting practice. ... A's RHP Russ Springer worked a scoreless third inning to earn the victory. ... John Danks had two hits for the White Sox, while Daric Barton got his first two hits of the spring for the A's. ... Ryan Sweeney had a two-run single and Yung-Chi Chen had a two-run triple for the A's. ... White Sox Triple-A manager Chris Chambliss was in charge of the split-squad in Phoenix.
