Daric Barton delivered a solo homer Saturday in the win over the Mariners.

Barton has started three of four games since returning to the majors and gone 2-for-11 with three RBI so far. He may well be bumped off the roster when Chris Young returns from the disabled list, but in the meantime, he has a little value in AL-only leagues.

Athletics purchased the contract of 1B Daric Barton from Triple-A Sacramento.

He'll take the place of Josh Reddick (wrist) on the active roster and should see a decent amount of playing time at first base in the coming days, with Brandon Moss playing more in the outfield. Barton was hitting .287/.422/.465 with three home runs, 21 RBI and an .887 OPS in 29 games at Triple-A this season. Of course, it's been a long time since he's produced at the major league level, so he's only worth considering in deeper AL-only leagues.

Daric Barton is expected to be called up from Triple-A Sacramento prior to Wednesday's game.

He'll take the place of Josh Reddick (wrist) on the active roster. Barton, 27, is hitting .287/.422/.465 with three home runs, 21 RBI and an .887 OPS in 29 games at Triple-A this season. He figures to get the bulk of the playing time at first base in the short-term while Brandon Moss will help the A's injury-plagued outfield. There isn't much fantasy upside to be had.

Athletics sent 1B Daric Barton outright to Triple-A Sacramento.

Barton was designated for assignment by the A's on March 29 and passed through waivers without drawing interest from another team. The 27-year-old first baseman is a .249/.360/.371 career hitter in the major leagues.

Athletics designated 1B Daric Barton for assignment.

It's been a tough fall from grace for the former first-round pick and highly touted prospect. Barton hit a miserable .204/.338/.292 with one homer in 136 plate appearances in 2012, and the results this spring were eerily similar. He'll likely latch on elsewhere, though it will have to be on a minor league deal.

Athletics and 1B Daric Barton avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1.1 million contract.

He could make an additional $250,000 with incentives. Barton earned the same $1.1 million salary in 2012 while batting just .204/.338/.292 with one home run and a .630 OPS in 136 plate appearances. The new deal isn't guaranteed, so the A's could cut bait during spring training and only be responsible for a portion of the contract.

Athletics recalled 1B Daric Barton from Triple-A Sacramento.

Barton was optioned to the minors in June after batting just .198/.325/.283 in 126 plate appearances. He is unlikely to see much action down the stretch.

Athletics optioned 1B Daric Barton to Triple-A Sacramento.

Barton was hitting just .198/.325/.283 in 126 plate appearances since returning from the disabled list, and was expendable with Kila Ka'aihue on the active roster. He'll need to prove he's fully healthy before being considered for a promotion.

The San Francisco Chronicle suggests Daric Barton's roster spot could be in jeopardy.

With Brandon McCarthy expected to come off the disabled list (shoulder) Saturday, a position player, likely Barton or Kila Ka'aihue, will be dropped. Working against Barton is the fact he has options left. Ka'aihue, if demoted, would be subject to waivers.

Athletics manager Bob Melvin said the recently activated Daric Barton will be "for most part our everyday first baseman."

There was some thought that he may share time with Kila Ka'aihue, but evidently Barton will be in the lineup most days. Unfortunately, with a career .252 average and 26 homers over 1,470 at-bats, he simply doesn't offer much in the way of upside for fantasy owners.

Though Daric Barton (shoulder) is eligible to be activated from the disabled list Sunday, Athletics manager Bob Melvin has indicated the first baseman will remain on his rehab assignment for now.

The A's have used both Brandon Allen and Kila Ka'aihue at first base early on and appear content with those two for the time being. Barton should be nearly ready physically, but he's no lock to win his job back anytime soon.

Daric Barton (shoulder) will not be placed on the disabled list to start the season.

Barton will not travel with the A's for their season-opening series in Japan on March 28, but he'll remain on the active roster and seems likely to be ready to play on April 6 for their first game in the states. Recovering from shoulder surgery, Barton just recently started playing in spring training games.

Daric Barton (shoulder) is expected to make his first start of the spring at first base during one of the Athletics' split-squad games on Saturday.

The A's are easing Barton back into action following surgery last September to repair a partial labrum tear in his right shoulder. The 26-year-old went 0-for-3 with two walks as the DH on Monday in his spring debut.

Daric Barton (shoulder) is scheduled to be the designated hitter for the Athletics' Cactus League game on Monday.

It will be his first game action of the spring. Barton is coming back from offseason shoulder surgery and has made it through some simulated games OK. Throwing seems to be more of an issue than hitting, but he was recently cleared to throw, as well. He should be good to go for Opening Day if he experiences no setbacks.

Daric Barton will throw Friday for the first time since undergoing shoulder surgery.

Barton swung the bat in a simulated game Thursday and is now ready to test out his shoulder by throwing. He had been hoping to play in a spring game Friday, as well, but it's unclear if he'll still do that. The 26-year-old first baseman still has time to get ready in time for Opening Day.

Daric Barton (shoulder) is planning to swing a bat Thursday and could play in a spring game Friday.

Barton was shut down for the past couple of days after getting a cortisone injection Monday in his troublesome right shoulder. The 26-year-old first baseman is hoping to avoid further setbacks and will try to fit in enough at-bats before the start of the 2012 regular season. If he indeed plays in Friday's game, he'll be right on track.

Daric Barton was given another cortisone injection Monday in his troublesome right shoulder.

Barton underwent surgery in September to repair a partial labrum tear in the shoulder and has not made an overly smooth recovery. The Athletics are still hopeful that he'll be ready for the start of the regular season, but the 26-year-old first baseman is running out of time. He will be shut down for at least the next three days.

Daric Barton (shoulder) said he might receive a second cortisone shot on Monday.

He's evidently already had one for his shoulder, and he could get another one due to some biceps tightness. Barton underwent surgery in September to repair a partial labrum tear, and he's obviously not totally recovered from the procedure. He's not expected to throw until mid-March, but, at this point, he doesn't appear to be in danger of missing Opening Day.

Daric Barton had an MRI exam earlier in the week after developing soreness in his surgically repaired right shoulder.

Barton underwent surgery in September to repair a partial labrum tear. "Everything looked good, so I'll get back into it slowly," Barton said. "The biggest thing for me was to find out that it's fine.'' Barton is not expected to throw until mid-March, and now possibly later than that. He'll look to reclaim his old role as a starter when healthy.

Daric Barton (shoulder) won't make his Cactus League debut until at least Monday.

Barton is still limited from a fielding and throwing perspective following surgery last September to repair a partial labrum tear, so he'll strictly be used as a designated hitter for the time being. The 26-year-old recently received a cortisone shot in his shoulder, but it's not viewed as a setback.