Though Daric Barton (shoulder) is eligible to be activated from the disabled list Sunday, Athletics manager Bob Melvin has indicated the first baseman will remain on his rehab assignment for now. The A's have used both Brandon Allen and Kila Ka'aihue at first base early on and appear content with those two for the time being. Barton should be nearly ready physically, but he's no lock to win his job back anytime soon.

Daric Barton (shoulder) will not be placed on the disabled list to start the season. Barton will not travel with the A's for their season-opening series in Japan on March 28, but he'll remain on the active roster and seems likely to be ready to play on April 6 for their first game in the states. Recovering from shoulder surgery, Barton just recently started playing in spring training games.

Daric Barton (shoulder) is expected to make his first start of the spring at first base during one of the Athletics' split-squad games on Saturday. The A's are easing Barton back into action following surgery last September to repair a partial labrum tear in his right shoulder. The 26-year-old went 0-for-3 with two walks as the DH on Monday in his spring debut.

Daric Barton (shoulder) is scheduled to be the designated hitter for the Athletics' Cactus League game on Monday. It will be his first game action of the spring. Barton is coming back from offseason shoulder surgery and has made it through some simulated games OK. Throwing seems to be more of an issue than hitting, but he was recently cleared to throw, as well. He should be good to go for Opening Day if he experiences no setbacks.

Daric Barton will throw Friday for the first time since undergoing shoulder surgery. Barton swung the bat in a simulated game Thursday and is now ready to test out his shoulder by throwing. He had been hoping to play in a spring game Friday, as well, but it's unclear if he'll still do that. The 26-year-old first baseman still has time to get ready in time for Opening Day.

Daric Barton (shoulder) is planning to swing a bat Thursday and could play in a spring game Friday. Barton was shut down for the past couple of days after getting a cortisone injection Monday in his troublesome right shoulder. The 26-year-old first baseman is hoping to avoid further setbacks and will try to fit in enough at-bats before the start of the 2012 regular season. If he indeed plays in Friday's game, he'll be right on track.

Daric Barton was given another cortisone injection Monday in his troublesome right shoulder. Barton underwent surgery in September to repair a partial labrum tear in the shoulder and has not made an overly smooth recovery. The Athletics are still hopeful that he'll be ready for the start of the regular season, but the 26-year-old first baseman is running out of time. He will be shut down for at least the next three days.

Daric Barton (shoulder) said he might receive a second cortisone shot on Monday. He's evidently already had one for his shoulder, and he could get another one due to some biceps tightness. Barton underwent surgery in September to repair a partial labrum tear, and he's obviously not totally recovered from the procedure. He's not expected to throw until mid-March, but, at this point, he doesn't appear to be in danger of missing Opening Day.

Daric Barton had an MRI exam earlier in the week after developing soreness in his surgically repaired right shoulder. Barton underwent surgery in September to repair a partial labrum tear. "Everything looked good, so I'll get back into it slowly," Barton said. "The biggest thing for me was to find out that it's fine.'' Barton is not expected to throw until mid-March, and now possibly later than that. He'll look to reclaim his old role as a starter when healthy.

Daric Barton (shoulder) won't make his Cactus League debut until at least Monday. Barton is still limited from a fielding and throwing perspective following surgery last September to repair a partial labrum tear, so he'll strictly be used as a designated hitter for the time being. The 26-year-old recently received a cortisone shot in his shoulder, but it's not viewed as a setback.