Derek Norris (back) returned to Oakland's lineup on Wednesday.

Norris had been sidelined since Friday due to back tightness. The 25-year-old backstop is slated for platoon duty in Oakland and possesses enough stick to intrigue two-catcher league participants.

Derek Norris (back) could return to the lineup on Wednesday, according to A's manager Bob Melvin.

Norris has been sidelined since Friday due to back tightness. The 25-year-old backstop is slated for duty in a patented Oakland platoon that should maximize his offensive effectiveness.

Derek Norris (back) remains unavailable for the next few days.

Norris has been sidelined since Friday due to back tightness, but it's not a major concern. The 25-year-old backstop should get the majority of the at-bats behind the plate for Oakland this season and makes for a decent sleeper in two-catcher mixed fantasy leagues.

Athletics manager Bob Melvin said Sunday that Derek Norris could return to the lineup on Tuesday

The 25-year-old backstop has been sidelined since Friday due to back spasms. The issue isn't expected to be serious, and shouldn't impact his availability for the start of the regular season, where he's expected to serve as the team's primary catcher.

Derek Norris (back) reported improvement on Saturday, but still remains unlikely to return to the Athletics lineup until Monday.

Norris has been dealing with back spasms, which forced him out of Friday's lineup. A few days of rest should be enough to cure what ails the A's backstop, who enters the 2014 season as their primary option behind the dish.

Derek Norris was scratched from Friday's lineup and could also sit out Saturday due to back spasms.

It doesn't sound like a long-term concern at this point. Norris is expected to earn the lion's share of playing time at catcher for the A's this season.

Derek Norris belted a pinch-hit two-run homer that tied the game in the eighth inning of 7-6 victory over the Giants.

The door is open for the talented 25-year-old backstop to assume a larger role with the A's in 2014 if he can distance himself from John Jaso and Stephen Vogt this spring. Fantasy owners surely hope that Norris earns the starting role, as he possesses the most power and speed of the trio.

Derek Norris came off the bench to contribute a two-run homer and an RBI double to the cause Sunday against the Mariners.

The A's still have to settle on a catching situation for the postseason. Kurt Suzuki has been taking a backseat to Stephen Vogt and Norris of late. Norris now has nine homers and 30 RBI in 260 at-bats on the season.

Athletics activated C Derek Norris from the 15-day disabled list.

Norris missed two weeks with a fractured left big toe. He'll presumably serve in a three-catcher platoon down the stretch with Stephen Vogt and Kurt Suzuki.

Derek Norris (toe) confirmed that he's ready for a Thursday activation from the disabled list.

Norris began a minor league rehab assignment Saturday and experienced zero setbacks with his once-fractured left big toe. We expect him to enter a three-catcher platoon with Stephen Vogt and Kurt Suzuki.

Derek Norris (toe) will be activated on Thursday.

Norris began a minor league rehab assignment on Saturday and has reported no issues with his once-fractured left big toe. Stephen Vogt and Kurt Suzuki have been filling in behind the plate for the Athletics, and both should continue to get semi-regular playing time.

Derek Norris (toe) will being a minor league rehab assignment with Class-A Stockton on Saturday.

Norris has been on the DL since August 21 after fracturing his left big toe. Before the injury, he had delivered some nice punch in a backup role for the A's, hitting .232/.338/.393 with eight homers and 26 RBI in his 84 games. With Kurt Suzuki and Stephen Vogt currently handling the load behind the plate, it will be interesting to see how playing time shakes out upon his return.

Derek Norris (toe) could begin playing in minor league rehab games this weekend.

Norris has been on the disabled list since August 21 with a fractured left big toe. The 24-year-old catcher is hitting .232/.338/.393 with eight home runs and 26 RBI in 84 games this season for the Athletics. He should be back on the big league roster in early September.

Athletics placed C Derek Norris on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to August 21, with a fractured left big toe.

The A's had considered keeping Norris on the roster, but they no longer have to following the addition of Kurt Suzuki. It's not clear at this point how long he'll be sidelined.

Athletics manager Bob Melvin said Wednesday that they haven't ruled out keeping Derek Norris (toe) on the roster.

Norris suffered a fractured left toe on Tuesday, but the A's will see how he feels over the next couple of days before considering a roster move. Stephen Vogt will handling catching duties for now while David Freitas is next in line for a call-up from the minors.

Derek Norris (toe) remains on the Athletics' roster.

Norris suffered a fractured left toe in Tuesday's game against the Mariners, but the Athletics will hold off on a roster move until at least Friday. Stephen Vogt will handle the load behind the plate for now, while Ryan Ortiz is likely to be called up from the minors.

Derek Norris suffered a fractured left toe in Tuesday's game against the Mariners, but it's uncertain whether he'll need to go on the DL.

Norris would be a big loss for the A's with John Jaso already sidelined, and making matters worse, the obvious callup, Luke Montz, is currently on the minor league DL. So, the team may ask him to play through it. Otherwise, it will be Stephen Vogt as the starter and probably Ryan Ortiz as the backup for the next couple of weeks.

Derek Norris (back) is in the A's starting lineup on Thursday afternoon against the Astros.

Norris missed four games due to tightness in his back. The 24-year-old is hitting .230/.333/.394 with eight home runs and 25 RBI in 80 games this season for Oakland.

Derek Norris (back) is expected to return to the lineup on Thursday.

Norris has sat out the last two games with a tight back. A's manager Bob Melvin said he could use him Tuesday or Wednesday, but he'll hold him out until Thursday just to be safe.

Derek Norris (back) is sitting out Tuesday night.

Norris didn't play on Monday either after leaving Sunday's game against the Blue Jays with tightness in his back. The A's are confident that it's not serious.