Daric Barton returned to action on Friday April 22.

Daric Barton (illness) is back in the A's lineup Friday.

Barton admits to still feeling some body aches from the illness that caused him to miss Thursday's game, but evidently he feels good enough to play. He's at first base and batting second.

Daric Barton was a late scratch from Thursday's game due to an illness.

Conor Jackson was moved to first base and Ryan Sweeney took over in left field. Barton should be ready to return to the lineup after a day or two of rest.

Daric Barton is not in the Athletics' lineup Wednesday against the White Sox.

He's just getting the day off. Andy LaRoche will get the start at first base and bat eighth against John Danks.

After completing a contract extension with Trevor Cahill, the A's could next look to extend Daric Barton, Andrew Bailey and Gio Gonzalez.

The trend in baseball has been to extend your young players to cover their arbitration years. Both Barton and Bailey will be arbitration-eligible over the winter, while Gonzalez still has another year.

Daric Barton (legs) is expected to return to the lineup Saturday.

Barton has sat out the last few days with soreness in his legs, but it appears he's over it now. The first baseman has had a nice spring, batting .361 with a pair of home runs.

Daric Barton is day-to-day with leg soreness.

No big deal. He's expected to return to the lineup in the next few days. Barton is batting .361 (13-for-36) with two homers, three doubles and six RBI this spring, so he's obviously seeing the ball pretty well already.

A source tells Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle that Daric Barton "is a strong possibility" to be signed through at least 2014.

The 25-year-old batted .273/.393/.405 with 10 homers and 57 RBI last season, while leading the American League in walks. He will be arbitration-eligible for the first time following the 2011 season, so the A's could at least buy out his arbitration years.

Keith Law of ESPN.com hears that Daric Barton recently switched agents from Don Mitchell to Dan Lozano.

Barton will be arbitration-eligible for the first time following the 2011 season. The 25-year-old batted .273/.393/.405 with 10 homers and 57 RBI last season while playing excellent defense at first base.

Daric Barton went 2-for-3 with an RBI double and solo home run in Tuesday's 10-8 win over the Reds.

It's Barton's second longball of the spring, and he's hitting a cool .361 over 36 at-bats. Though a useful player in real life, Barton isn't expected to develop the power at first base to be a useful fantasy option in mixed leagues.

Daric Barton went 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBI against the Rockies on Sunday.

The bomb was his first of the spring. Barton isn't likely to develop any extra power this season, but as long as you can do without the bop at first base, he's a fine option in deeper mixed leagues.

Daric Barton (calf) is slated to return to the lineup Sunday.

The first baseman has missed the last six games due to a calf ailment, but it appears he's now good to go. The setback wasn't significant and won't affect his availability for Opening Day.

Daric Barton (calf) could return to the lineup Saturday.

Barton has sat out five straight games with a calf injury but is getting better. As long as he doesn't suffer a setback, he'll have plenty of time to get ready by Opening Day.

Daric Barton (calf) was held out of the A's spring lineup for fifth straight game Friday.

The first baseman has been sidelined by soreness in his right calf. "It's gradually getting better," Barton said Friday. "But my right leg is still feeling the aftermath of the calf, so it's taking its course. I was going to play yesterday, but it wasn't ready and I didn't want to risk it." He should return this weekend.

Daric Barton (calf) will not return to the Athletics' lineup Thursday, as previously planned.

Barton is still feeling some soreness in his right calf, so the Athletics will wait until he's back to full health.

Daric Barton (calf) is out of the lineup again Wednesday.

Barton has been sidelined since being kicked in the calf during Sunday's game. He's expected to return Thursday.

Daric Barton (calf) is doubtful to return to game action Tuesday.

Barton suffered a calf contusion during Sunday's game after being kicked while leaping for a high throw. He's considered day-to-day right now.

Daric Barton is day-to-day after coming out of Sunday's game with a calf contusion.

Barton hurt the calf after taking a high throw from Kevin Kouzmanoff. Manager Bob Geren said it wasn't serious at all.

Daric Barton fell awkwardly while jumping from a high throw from Kevin Kouzmanoff and limped off the field.

He was replaced by Andy LaRoche. We'll update you on the severity of Barton's injury when more information comes in. The 25-year-old first baseman batted .273/.393/.405 with 10 homers and 57 RBI last season.

Athletics manager Bob Geren said that Daric Barton's bunting opportunities will be limited this season.

Barton was tied for fourth in the league with 12 sacrifice bunts last season, something he often did on his own. "I'm taking that option away," said Geren. "He'll bunt when I tell him to." The A's hope Barton will be more aggressive with runners on base this season. The 25-year-old first baseman batted .273/.393/.405 with 10 homers and 57 RBI last season. While he has immense value for the A's because of his defense, he's barely a top-20 option at first base in most fantasy formats.