" Mark Ellis sat out a second game with a sore right shoulder, but the second baseman should be back in action Friday night when the A's open a three-game series against the Rangers at the Coliseum.

Ellis jammed his shoulder diving back to first base in the sixth inning Monday night. He has been able to take batting practice, but has had some discomfort when throwing.

Manager Bob Geren is aware of Ellis' history with that shoulder: Ellis missed the entire 2004 season after injuring it so severely in a collision with shortstop Bobby Crosby that there was some thought he might not play again. Ellis was unable to have surgery to repair the shoulder because there was too much nerve damage. Doctors said the injury resembled what they typically would see in a car accident.

"We're really going on how Mark feels," Geren said. "He knows his body and his arm and he firmly believes it's a lot better today and he'll be ready Friday. I trust him when he says how he's doing.""