Cliff Pennington (shoulder) couldn't guess Tuesday when he might be able to play in spring games.

Pennington is still in recovery mode from late October surgery on his left shoulder and has been limited to swinging from the left side so far in camp. The switch-hitting shortstop is still expecting to be ready by Opening Day, but his at-bats may be limited during the early part of the Cactus League schedule.

Cliff Pennington (shoulder) will be ready for spring training.

Pennington had surgery on his left shoulder in late October, but he's making a smooth recovery and started swinging a bat last week. The slick-fielding shortstop hit just .250/.319/.368 with six homers and 29 steals in 508 at-bats this season. He has some fantasy value as a base-stealer.

Cliff Pennington (shoulder) has begun taking dry cuts with a bat.

Pennington had surgery in late October to repair a labrum tear in his left shoulder. He has not experienced a setback, but he will be limited when spring training rolls around and could be placed on the disabled list at the start of the season. "We're taking our time and trying to do it right," said the shortstop. "Everything looks good." Cliff is a good defensive shortstop, but he had a 687 OPS in 2010 and shouldn't be on most fantasy radars.

Cliff Pennington had left shoulder surgery earlier this month.

It was a fairly major procedure, designed to repair a labrum tear. "I expect to be ready to go for Spring Training," Pennington said Wednesday. "I may not be 100 percent to start, but I'll be close to it." The shortstop hit .250/.319/.368 with six homers and 29 steals in 508 at-bats this season.

Cliff Pennington had three hits and stole his 27th base Monday versus the Angels.

Pennington's first three-hit game since July 3 pushed his average back up to .250. Because of the steals, he's been a better fantasy shortstop than anticipated this season. Still, it'd be for the best if the A's never had to put him in the leadoff spot again. He's hit ninth regularly during the second half.

Cliff Pennington is out of the Athletics' starting lineup Thursday due to a sore left shoulder.

While he is out of the lineup, A's manager Bob Geren said that he is available for tonight's game. Steve Tolleson will start at shortstop Thursday and bat ninth against Cliff Lee.

Cliff Pennington went 0-for-4 in the loss to the Tigers on Wednesday.

Pennington was quite a bit more productive as a No. 9 hitter than he's been in 23 games at the top of Oakland's lineup. He's hitting .228/.303/.304 in 92 at-bats as a leadoff man. The A's will probably return Pennington to the bottom of the order after Coco Crisp returns, if not before then.

X-rays on Cliff Pennington's right wrist and hand were negative.

He left Sunday's game after his hand was stepped on in a dive into first base in the third inning. Pennington isn't likely to miss any time.

Cliff Pennington left Sunday's game after grabbing his arm on a dive into first base in the third inning.

No word yet on a possible injury. Adam Rosales moved to shortstop to cover for Pennington, while Eric Patterson entered the game at second base. We'll keep you updated on Oakland's young shortstop.

Cliff Pennington hit a solo home run in a 4-0 win over the Mariners on Monday.

The sixth-inning shot was actually the first hit of the evening for the Athletics off starter Ryan Rowland-Smith. Pennington, who has exclusively batted ninth thus far, is 7-for-25 (.280) with two homers and six RBI to begin the season.

Cliff Pennington hit a three-run homer as part of Oakland's victory Friday.

As many interchangable parts as they have, the A's would be crazy to stick with a set lineup this year. Pennington is batting ninth right now, but if he keeps hitting, he could jump up to first or second at some point. He's 6-for-17 with three extra-base hits and three walks so far.