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OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) The Oakland Athletics have signed free-agent third baseman Dallas McPherson to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.

McPherson is expected to compete for a starting job, and he provides Oakland with insurance at third base. Six-time Gold Glove winner Eric Chavez might not be able to return to that position after recovering from a second back surgery that cost him most of this season.

The 29-year-old McPherson, who missed the 2007 and '09 seasons with back trouble, is a career .245 hitter with 18 home runs and 45 RBIs in parts of four major league seasons with the Angels and Marlins.

Chavez had his second back operation, the same microdiscectomy surgery in a different spot, to correct a herniated disk on June 23. He appeared in just eight games and batted .100. He played in only 23 games in 2008, and 90 in '07.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 11-23-09 2042CST | save this article / add to your favorites list