A's third baseman Chavez says he's been cleared to take BP

PHOENIX -- Eric Chavez has been cleared to take batting practice for the first time in nearly two weeks.

The Athletics third baseman, rehabbing from shoulder surgery, was tested Saturday using pulleys and swinging a bat without a ball. Chavez had not swung a bat since a setback on March. 8.

Chavez said he's been cleared to take batting practice in the cage on Sunday, and perhaps hit on the field on Monday.

Chavez had 11 at-bats as a designated hitter this spring training but has not played in the field this spring.

In other A's news, left-hander Dallas Braden was scratched from his scheduled start in Saturday's split-squad game against the Mariners at Peoria. Braden had a root canal operation on Friday and was not ready to pitch. He was rescheduled for Sunday against the White Sox.