A’s Sweeney will make the trip to Japan

PHOENIX (AP) — Non-roster first baseman Mike Sweeney will be making the trip to Japan with the Oakland Athletics this week. Outfielder Todd Linden was told Monday that he’s staying back in Arizona despite a strong spring.

The A’s open the season March 25 with the first of two games against the defending World Series champion Boston Red Sox, and the clubs also will play a pair of exhibitions beforehand with Japanese teams.

The 34-year-old Sweeney has had a solid spring after receiving a minor league contract last month to join the A’s after spending his first 13 major league seasons with the Kansas City Royals.

“He is playing very well,” Oakland manager Bob Geren said Monday.

“He’s had a great spring. He’s been told he’s going to Japan. The rosters won’t be finalized until right before the game that day, but he’s going on the trip.”

The A’s can bring 30 players to Japan because of the exhibition games, but must set their 25-man roster before the season opener next Tuesday.

The 25-man roster can be at 28 players with three ineligibles.