Vogt returns to field at first base vs. Rangers

OAKLAND -- A's All-Star Stephen Vogt, eased back into game action with four plate appearances as a designated hitter this week, returned to the field Wednesday night for the first time since taking a foul tip to the groin Sept. 6.

Vogt drew the start at first base in the 10-3 loss to Texas and could return to catching duties by the end of the weekend, A's manager Bob Melvin said. Vogt went 0-for-4 with a strikeout at the plate.

Simply putting him back on the field "is a big step," Melvin noted before the game.

"He's ready for it," he continued. "We feel like we've given him the proper amount of time. Obviously he has to feel comfortable doing it. He's been doing a lot of early work recently to put himself in the position where he's going to be out on the field and, I think, if all goes well there, you could see him behind the plate as soon as this weekend."

Earlier in the day, Vogt was named the recipient of the 2015 Dave Stewart Community Service Award, given annually to an A's player in recognition of charitable acts. Stewart will present Vogt -- also the A's nominee for the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award -- with the award prior to Thursday's game in an on-field ceremony.

Vogt and his wife, Alyssa, are active supporters of the School of Imagination in Dublin, Calif., where they've made several visits this season to work with special-needs children.

"It's like a Triple Crown here. Every award we seem to hand he seems to be receiving," Melvin said. "I'm trying to come up with different adjectives, but it just means he's not only well thought of in our clubhouse and on the field, how he handles himself in the clubhouse as a leader and what he does in the community. All of these traits are very rare to see in one guy. We're lucky to have a Stephen Vogt in our clubhouse."