Gentry to sit out with lower back strain

PHOENIX -- Oakland's Craig Gentry will remain off the field for a few days after an MRI revealed a lower back strain.

The A's want to be extra cautious with their new outfielder, especially when considering his all-out style of play.

"We're just going to get ahead of this thing and keep him off the field for a few days," manager Bob Melvin said Saturday. "It'll be into next week some, but we're not sure how long. He's a pretty eager beaver. He wants to get out there and do his thing, especially with a new team. We all know what he's got, so we just have to make sure this completely goes away before we get him started here."

Gentry's back woes are believed to be the result of his drive from Texas to Arizona, made worse from batting practice. The 30-year-old clocked time on a stationary bike Saturday morning, but did little else, while his teammates shuttled to Papago Park for another round of workouts in advance of Wednesday's Cactus League opener against the host Giants.

It's unknown whether Gentry will be available for that game, but he'll have plenty time to catch up, and the A's are already more than familiar with the Rangers transplant.

"A key piece like that," Melvin said, "we're going to make sure he's completely healthy first.

"The way he plays, he's one of those guys, tell him to go 60 percent and he's not going to be able to do that is my guess."