Healing Reddick feels good after taking some BP

HOUSTON -- Back at the same park where he initially suffered a right wrist injury that ultimately put him on the disabled list May 8, A's outfielder Josh Reddick took more than 20 batting-practice swings in Houston on Friday and said he "felt great."

"No issues," said Reddick, who is eyeing a return next week. "I don't feel anything.

"I was happy with the results. Biggest thing for me was if I could pull the ball. It's one thing I really wanted to test out because I wasn't able to do it before. It felt great. Didn't feel anything and still driving the ball that way."

That's encouraging news for Oakland's Gold Glove outfielder, who just last week mentioned surgery as a possibility if his wrist didn't heal in a timely fashion. Now Reddick isn't even thinking about an operation, instead forecasting a return to the A's roster sometime next week.

Reddick said if all goes well again on Saturday, when he's slated to take even more swings during batting practice, he'll play in a rehab game with Class A Stockton on Monday and another with Triple-A Sacramento on Tuesday. How many at-bats he needs will depend on how he's feeling.

"We don't have a number yet," Reddick said. "Talked with [manager Bob Melvin] today. He said he wants to make sure I get as comfortable as possible, whether it takes five at-bats or 15 or 20 at-bats."

Oakland plays the Giants in San Francisco on Wednesday and Thursday, before hosting the White Sox for a three-game set beginning Friday. Reddick hopes to be playing in at least one of those series.