Oakland A's notebook: Yoenis Cespedes continues to hit the ball hard

By Carl Steward/

PHOENIX -- For the second straight day, much-touted Cuban signee Yoenis Cespedes upstaged the A's players participating in the scheduled spring training game by tearing it up in another simulated game.

Cespedes, who might play in his first Cactus League game this weekend, took six at-bats against minor league pitchers Thursday and had three more hits, including his second home run in as many days at the club's Papago Park minor league complex.

Facing A's minor league pitchers Blake Hassebrock and Shawn Haviland, Cespedes hit the ball solidly every time up. His home run, against Haviland, was a low line shot down the left-field line and over the wall. He also singled hard to center and had a sharp grounder back of third base for an infield hit.

In two simulated games, Cespedes is 7 for 12 with two homers.

Manager Bob Melvin, who watched part of the simulated session but missed the home run, said it's likely Cespedes could play in a game Saturday or Sunday but didn't want to get locked into it.

"We want to make sure he makes progress (Friday) and feels comfortable in the outfield and feels comfortable running the bases," the manager said. "But I think there's a good chance this weekend he's in there."

A's general manager Billy Beane, who attended Oakland's game against the Dodgers in Glendale, Ariz., on Thursday, has purposely avoided seeing Cespedes' hitting sessions.

"No, no, I didn't want to jinx him," Beane said.  More >>