A's hopeful Cespedes will be ready for playoffs

SEATTLE -- Yoenis Cespedes was missing from Oakland's final regular-season lineup in Seattle on Sunday, and the A's are hopeful that extended rest will allow the outfielder to be ready for the playoffs.

Cespedes, who exited Friday's game because of soreness in his ailing right shoulder, which was diagnosed with tendinitis last week, wasn't even available off the bench Sunday.

He'll have had a total of six days off heading into Game 1 of the American League Division Series on Friday.

"He's better," manager Bob Melvin said Sunday morning, "but we'll stay away from him again and hopefully we can combat that with him being healthier with the time off. We will have some days where pitchers throw to hitters this week, so hopefully he's ready and able to do that."

Cespedes was a significant factor in Oakland's second-half surge, particularly in a runaway September. He hit .314 with six home runs and 19 RBIs in the month after batting .237 or lower in each of the first five months.

During last year's ALDS, Cespedes hit .316 (6-for-19) with two RBIs in five games as a rookie.