From the Athletics current Team Report page:
Eric Chavez is spending three days in the Arizona desert before his scheduled rehab assignment with Class AAA Sacramento, which opens a homestand Thursday against Salt Lake.
Chavez is expected to be in a River Cats uniform, at first to be a designated hitter and then to work up his endurance as a third baseman.
Neither Chavez nor manager Bob Geren expects he'll join the A's on May 27, the first day he's eligible to come off the disabled list. But no one suggests it'll be much longer after that, barring setbacks.
Chavez did everything asked of him before Oakland's past three games in Texas. He did all baseball activity and topped it off Sunday by running the bases all out for the first time, and trainer Steve Sayles cleared him to play in games.
"It doesn't have to do with his back," Sayles said of Chavez's pursuit to get in baseball shape. "It has to do with playing the game."
For now, Chavez will participate in the A's extended spring training in Arizona.
I think that is really encouraging news. That said, if Chavez returns on June 1st, then there will be 106 games left in the season. If he somehow makes it back earlier, on May 27th, right when he is eligible to return, then there will be 111 games left. So, if he returns at a 100% healthy level, then he would have to take fewer than 6-11 days off (depending on when he returns) in order to break 100 games played this year. So it is possible that he could play 100 games, yes, but I agree with you that it is unlikely. I don't think the A's will want to overwork him upon his return, so they will probably give him plenty of rest in his first few weeks back. I think 80-99 games is what we are highly likely to see him play. Also, keep in mind that the reason it is taking so long to get him back is because the A's do want him back at 100% because that is the best way to try to keep him healthy.
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