Ryan Sweeney went 2-for-2 against the Cubs on Thursday, improving his spring average to a blistering .545.

That is through just 11 at-bats, however. Currently slated as a backup, Sweeney could find at-bats hard to come by in Oakland's crowded outfield, and isn't going to have much value in even deep AL-only leagues this season.

Ryan Sweeney (knee) will make his spring debut next Wednesday.

Sweeney is coming off patella surgery on his right knee, so the A's have brought him along slowly in the early days of camp. It's not clear if he will be eased into the lineup as a designated hitter or jump right back into the outfield.

Ryan Sweeney (knee) won't be cleared for outfield duties until between March 7-9, A's manager Bob Geren said.

Sweeney will DH until then. He underwent patella surgery on his right knee last July and had problems with his left knee in September. The 25-year-old will vie for a backup outfield gig while rehabbing the injury. He finished with a .294 batting average and .342 on-base percentage in 303 at-bats last season.

Ryan Sweeney (knee) has been cleared for all baseball activities.

Sweeney underwent patella surgery on his right knee last July and had problems with his left knee in September. But they are both rested and rehabbed now, and the 25-year-old is ready to continue vying for a backup outfield gig. He finished with a .294 batting average and .342 on-base percentage in 303 at-bats last season.

The Athletics and OF Ryan Sweeney avoided arbitration Friday by agreeing to a one-year contract.

Sweeney missed part of the 2010 season after undergoing patella surgery on his right knee, but he should be ready by the start of spring training in February. The 25-year-old finished with a .294/.342/.383 batting line with one home run and 36 RBI over 303 at-bats. The A's have a crowded outfield now with David DeJesus on board, but Sweeney should get ample playing time.

Ryan Sweeney's left knee has checked out and he will not need to have surgery.

Sweeney had patella surgery on the right knee July 30, and it was thought that he may need a procedure on the left knee, as well. That appears not to be the case, though, and the outfielder is hoping to be ready for spring training.

Ryan Sweeney said an MRI on his left knee this week "didn't show anything worse."

As a result, there hasn't been a decision on whether he'll undergo surgery. Sweeney already underwent season-ending surgery on his right knee at the end of July. If his left knee ultimately requires surgery, there would be a recovery-time of approximately four to six months.

Ryan Sweeney had an MRI on his left knee Tuesday in Colorado to determine whether he will need surgery.

He said he'll likely know results of the MRI on Wednesday, once Dr. Richard Steadman has had enough time to formulate a decision regarding possible surgery. Sweeney already underwent season-ending surgery on his right knee at the end of July.

Ryan Sweeney (knee) will Dr. Richard Steadman Tuesday to see if he needs to have surgery on his left knee.

Sweeney has already had an operation on the right knee and is out for the season. "I'm told my left one isn't as bad as the right," Sweeney said. "It's just a question of whether it will affect me next year if I don't have it. But I don't want to be out any longer than I need to be." Sweeney is hoping to be ready for spring training.

Athletics transferred OF Ryan Sweeney from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day disabled list.

Sweeney is out for the season and this is just an official move to open a spot on the 40-man roster. He received platelet-rich injections in both of his knees over the All-Star break and announced earlier this month he would undergo season-ending surgery on his right knee. Sweeney has also not ruled out surgery for his left knee. He's hoping to be 100 percent by spring training.

Ryan Sweeney, who will soon undergo season-ending surgery on his right knee, has not ruled out surgery for his left knee, as well.

He received platelet-rich injections in both of his knees over the All-Star break, so this hardly comes as a surprise. Sweeney said his left knee will be examined soon, so we should know for sure soon enough. He'd likely try to get both procedures out of the way as soon as possible in order to ensure that he will be 100 percent by spring training. Stay tuned.

Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle confirms that Ryan Sweeney will miss the rest of the season with knee surgery.

This backs up a report by Will Carroll of Baseball Prospectus earlier this afternoon. Sweeney, who was placed on the disabled list Monday, closes the book on the season with a .294 batting average to go along with one home run and 36 RBI over 303 at-bats. Rajai Davis was forced to the bench after the acquisition of Conor Jackson and the return of Coco Crisp, but he is now a good bet to play everyday moving forward.

According to Will Carroll of Baseball Prospectus, Ryan Sweeney will miss the rest of the season due to surgery on his knees.

Sweeney has been dealing with knee soreness since earlier this season. He received platelet rich injections in both of his knees last week. If true, he would finish the year with a .294 batting average to go along with one home run and 36 RBI in 303 at-bats. From a fantasy perspective, this means Rajai Davis is nearly assured of an everyday role, even after Conor Jackson returns from the DL.

Ryan Sweeney (knees) has missed three straight games.

"He'll be re-evaluated when we get home," A's manager Bob Geren said Monday. Sweeney has been dealing with soreness in his knees and was given platelet rich injections last week. If that treatment fails to fix anything, the Athletics may need to throw the outfielder on the 15-day disabled list.

Ryan Sweeney (knees) says that's he's still a no-go for Sunday.

Sweeney hasn't played since the All-Star break and recently received platelet rich injections in both of his knees. It's not clear at this point when he'll be able to return to the lineup.

Ryan Sweeney recently received platelet rich injections in both of his knees.

This, in addition to receiving a cortisone shot in his right knee on Monday. He is out of the lineup on Friday and might not be ready on Saturday, either.

Ryan Sweeney won't play Friday after receiving a cortisone shot for his sore right knee Monday.

Sweeney is expected to be available Saturday. Gabe Gross is starting in right field tonight.

Ryan Sweeney will be given a cortisone shot Monday in his sore right knee.

The injection should allow him to return to the Oakland lineup immediately after the All-Star break. Sweeney has hit .294/.342/.383 this season with a home run and 36 RBI while batting ongoing knee soreness.

Ryan Sweeney returned to action on Wednesday June 30.

Ryan Sweeney said he might receive a cortisone shot in his right knee right before the All-Star break.

Fluid has has been collecting under the kneecap, contributing to soreness in the knee. Sweeney didn't play against the Orioles on Tuesday, but was confident that he would be able to return on Wednesday.