MESA, Ariz. -- The A's will open Cactus League play on Thursday with a handful of new players headlining their starting lineup against the host Angels at Tempe Diablo Stadium.
Though manager Bob Melvin won't be playing a ton of his regulars in the opener, he will have Khris Davis, Yonder Alonso and Chris Coghlan in tow, with a batting order that looks like this:
1. CF Billy Burns
2. 2B Coghlan
3. DH Davis
4. 1B Alonso
5. SS Marcus Semien
6. LF Andrew Lambo
7. 3B Max Muncy
8. C Bruce Maxwell
9. RF Sam Fuld
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Non-roster lefty Eric Surkamp gets the start and will pitch one or two innings, with Marc Rzepczynski, Daniel Coulombe, Ryan Dull, R.J. Alvarez, Ryan Brasier and Ryan Doolittle also listed as available to pitch.
Injury update: Mark Canha won't get into games for several days, as he continues to battle back stiffness, while catcher Josh Phegley will be held out of exhibitions until at least Saturday while nursing a sore right shoulder.
Catcher Stephen Vogt's Cactus League debut will also be delayed, as planned, as he continues to rehab his surgically repaired right elbow. But Vogt has made such significant progress this week that he got three at-bats against Kendall Graveman and Jesse Hahn in Wednesday's two-plus-inning simulated game. The plan is for him to play in games in mid-March, though Melvin mentioned the possibility of Vogt compiling at-bats as designated hitter before then.
Worth noting: Graveman and Hahn drew rave reviews from Melvin on Wednesday. Graveman retired seven of eight batters faced, and Hahn surrendered one run, but he showcased good movement and induced several ground balls, as did Graveman. Barring any setbacks, both are penciled in to pitch in Monday's home game against the Royals.
Former A's first baseman Daric Barton dropped by camp Wednesday with his pit bulls, Tank and Bane, and reconnected with several ex-teammates and coaches. Barton is currently unsigned but is interested in continuing to play.