PHOENIX (AP) -Grady Sizemore missed out on the World Baseball Classic. He's not about to miss Opening Day.
The Cleveland outfielder, recovering from a strained left groin, returned to the lineup for the first time since Feb. 26 and went 0-for-1 with a walk as a designated hitter in the Indians' 8-5 loss to an Oakland Athletics split squad Sunday.
``I'm not about to go out and do anything silly until I can go full bore without any pain,' Sizemore said. ``That's the way I played today. I took it like a regular-season game. Of course, I didn't have much to do.'
Sizemore hasn't been told when he'll play in the outfield again.
``Grady is running fine and we'll have him at DH again tomorrow,' Cleveland manager Eric Wedge said. ``Later in the week we'll see about getting back to the outfield.'
Travis Hafner, playing in his second game since shoulder surgery, took over for Sizemore and had an RBI double, his first hit and RBI of the spring.
``He's working his way back into it,' Wedge said. ``He got the barrel of the bat out there on that hit.'
Gregorio Petit had two-run single in the fifth and Matt Carson hit a three-run home run in the sixth for the A's, who had won five straight before splitting their two games, losing to the San Francisco Giants 10-1.
Matt Holliday, Jack Hannahan and Adrian Cardenas each added two hits for the A's.
Kelly Shoppach hit a home run, Ryan Garko had two hits and drove in a run and Michael Brantley had two hits for the Indians.
Cleveland starter Kirk Saarloos pitched three scoreless innings against his former team.
``I have to admit when I saw I was starting I got excited,' Saarloos said. ``It's fun to pitch against guys you know. I tried to establish strike one because I know the overall A's philosophy is to make pitchers work.'
A's starter Brett Anderson, a top prospect, lasted 2 2-3 innings before leaving on a pitch count. He gave up two hits, walking one and striking out a batter.
``The better hitters I face, the calmer I am,' Anderson said. ``Every time out it feels a little better, especially when I start and can get back on a routine.'
Anderson is in the mix for one of two spots in the A's rotation.
``There are so many talented guys going for those spots I can't think about it like that,' Anderson said. ``Most guys have never seen me so I wanted to come in and showcase what I can do.'
Oakland manager Bob Geren liked what he saw.
``He was very solid,' Geren said. ``After a leadoff walk he pitched well. He's not afraid to pound the inside part of the zone.'
Notes: Wedge said Hafner will get a day off and return as DH on Tuesday. ... Indians RHP Joe Smith (viral infection) threw batting practice for the first time. There's no timetable for him to get into a game. ... A's RHP Sean Gallagher was sent home again on Sunday with an illness that kept him from making a start on Saturday. Geren said he'd like to get him back into the rotation on Tuesday. ... A's 3B Eric Chavez's first appearance could occur as early as Monday. ... Oakland SS Bobby Crosby has begun learning other positions under the guidance of coach Mike Gallego.
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