Vogt plays after HBP, but A's rest Burns

OAKLAND -- Speedster Billy Burns didn't start for the second consecutive game Saturday, when the A's fell, 3-2, to the Royals in the second game of a three-game set at the Coliseum.

Burns, who on Friday said he was just worn out, said Saturday he's experiencing some tightness in his legs. A's manager Bob Melvin called it a "hip flexor thing" and is confident Burns will return to the lineup Sunday.

"Still a little tight as of last night," Melvin said of Burns. "If it's a first baseman or something like that, he's probably playing, but his legs are a big part of his game."

Burns said he didn't expect to be out of the lineup Saturday, but he believes the staff gave him a second day of rest for precautionary reasons.

He said he's experiencing soreness and tightness and that he could play if he had to. Burns said he was not injured on one particular play, but rather it's more of a buildup.

"I play a lot," Burns said, "and it's just running around every day in cleats. Just get some tightness, so making sure it's nothing serious."

On a day when the A's were without one key contributor for the second straight day, they were relieved to have another reliable bat in the lineup.

Stephen Vogt, who was hit in the area near his right wrist in the ninth inning of the A's 5-2 loss to the Royals on Friday, was in the lineup on Saturday. Vogt, who batted third, went 0-for-4 as the A's designated hitter.

Melvin said Vogt could have played first base or catcher, but he was DHing on Saturday regardless of the severity of the injury because it was a day game after a night game.

When asked how he feels and the pain level he's experiencing, Vogt replied: "It feels like I got hit on the wrist."

• A's switch-pitcher Pat Venditte played catch Saturday morning for the first time since being placed on the disabled list June 12 with a right shoulder strain.

Venditte made 20 throws from 60 feet with his right arm. He said he'll play catch with both arms Monday for the first time since the injury.

After Monday, he said he'll have a better sense of his timetable going forward. Despite Venditte's progress, Melvin said Venditte won't return too soon because the switch pitcher still has to play catch with both arms, throw off a mound and complete a couple bullpen sessions.

• The A's wore 1965 throwback uniforms Saturday and played old-time music in the clubhouse.

"I'm always for '60's music," Melvin said. "Classic rock's right up my alley, so I'm fine with all that. It's a little against the grain for what we usually hear in our clubhouse, but I'm not going to complain about it."