Freiman continues to sit with abdominal strain

OAKLAND -- For Friday's contest with the visiting Twins, the A's Daric Barton got yet another start against a left-hander over Nate Freiman, who is nursing an abdominal strain.

There's no timetable for his return.

"He's had an abdomen/oblique thing he's been dealing with for about a week and a half, and that's why he's not in there today," manager Bob Melvin explained. "He would've been in there maybe today or tomorrow, but we're not able to get him in there. He hasn't taken batting practice for a few days because of that. We're not sure when we'll get him back."

Freiman sustained the injury while taking swings in the indoor cages, and he hasn't played since Monday. Barton, meanwhile, has seemingly assumed everyday duties at first base, with Brandon Moss spending most of his time in left field while Yoenis Cespedes remains restricted to DH duties for at least a few more days because of a right shoulder injury.

Barton, who is likely to find himself on a potential A's postseason roster, is 18-for-61 (.295) with nine RBIs in 21 games since his return from Triple-A Sacramento.