PHOENIX -- The pieces of Oakland's offense are coming together, even as the pitching staff remains sketchy.
Orlando Cabrera made his Athletics debut and Jason Giambi hit his first homer of the spring in an 8-3 victory over a San Francisco Giants split squad Saturday, but the club also had to shut down All-Star pitcher Justin Duchscherer because of a sore elbow.
After feeling some pain while playing long toss on Saturday morning, Duchscherer had a cortisone shot that will stall his recovery. He conceded the setback eliminates him from being in the rotation when the season begins. He won't throw again until Tuesday, at the earliest.
"If I don't feel better soon, I'd probably start the season on the DL," Duchscherer said. "I've got a lot of pitches to throw to get ready to start a regular-season game."
Now relying on a corps of young pitchers, the A's are hoping to score more runs to support them.
"Hopefully, we'll put up some runs to take the pressure off those kids," Giambi said.
Giambi belted a two-run homer against minor leaguer Joe Martinez in the first inning. Giambi started the spring 1-for-17, but has four hits in six at-bats, with two walks, in his past three games.
"The last few games I'm hitting the ball good, really starting to get locked in, just in time because we only have 21 games to go," he said. "I'm right where I want to be this time in the spring."
Cabrera had a single in three at-bats as the designated hitter, his first game with his new team. He is scheduled to make his debut at shortstop on Sunday, when Nomar Garciaparra will make his A's debut at third base. Garciaparra and Cabrera did not sign until March 6.
Left-hander Dallas Braden gave up one run in four innings to earn his first victory of the spring. Braden has allowed two earned runs in nine innings this spring.
"He's been impressive," manager Bob Geren said. "He's had some solid outings."
Martinez pitched four innings and gave up three unearned runs. All of them scored in the first after catcher Steve Holm couldn't block a third strike, allowing Matt Holliday to reach first.
Notes
Oakland 3B Eric Chavez did some throwing for the first time since he was shut down because of a sore shoulder on Monday. ... 1B Daric Barton, who had been out with a sore hip, played for the first time in more than a week. He played two innings in the field and grounded out in his only at-bat. ... Geren said RHP Joey Devine is expected to return to game action within a week to 10 days, and have at least four appearances before opening day. Devine, one of the A's closers, has been out with a sore elbow. ... INF Bobby Crosby said he expects to be ready to play second base in a game within the next week. Crosby has been working at other positions since Cabrera displaced him at shortstop. ... Giants OF Eugenio Velez was scratched from the lineup because of a "tweaked ankle," according to Triple-A Fresno manager Dan Rohn, who managed the Giants' split squad. Rohn said Velez worked out earlier in the day at the Giants' complex. ... RHP Billy Sadler had to leave the game after two-thirds of an inning when he cut the fingernail on his right middle finger. ... Hall of Fame inductee Rickey Henderson threw out the ceremonial first pitch, with Giambi as his catcher. Giambi is the only current A's player who was teammates with Henderson.
