The A’s have placed starting DH Frank Thomas on the 15-day disabled list with a strained quad. This injury will likely end the Big Hurt’s season. Thomas has played in 71 games for the Blue Jays and A’s this season and he is 59 for 246 (.240 avg, .723 OPS) with 27 runs scored, 8 homers and 30 RBIs. The A’s have recalled 22-year old righty swinging outfielder Aaron Cunningham from AAA to replace Thomas on the active roster for the A’s. Cunningham played in 107 games in AA+AAA ball this season and he was 139 for 423 (.329 avg, .932 OPS) with 86 runs scored, 17 homers, 66 RBIs and 15 stolen bases. Cunningham was the #7 prospect in the Diamondbacks’ minor league system coming into this season and he came to the A’s in the Dan Haren trade over the winter. Cunningham made his major league debut on Sunday and it was a good one as he was 2 for 4 with a double and 2 RBIs. He will likely get a lot of playing time in September for the A’s.

UPDATE:  Thomas is officially done for the season.  He played in 55 games for the A’s this season and he was 49 for 186 (.263 avg, .751 OPS) with 20 runs scored, 5 homers and 19 RBIs.  The A’s have activated DH Mike Sweeney from the D.L. and he will likely get some at bats against lefty starting pitching.  Sweeney has played in 41 games this season for the A’s and he is 35 for 125 (.280 avg, .710 OPS) with 13 runs scored, 2 homers and 12 RBIs.  I would be very surprised if either of these broken down players are on the A’s in 2009.