Nate Freiman (abdomen) will hit off a tee and do soft-toss Tuesday. If that goes well, he could hit in the batting cage on Wednesday or Friday. Freiman is nursing a strained muscle in his abdomen and isn't a lock to return this season.

Nate Freiman is expected to miss the next few games as he's dealing with a strained muscle in his abdomen. The rookie first baseman has done a very nice job in a platoon role with the A's this season, slashing .275/.329/.392 with 10 homers and 24 RBI in his 189 at-bats, primarily against left-handers. Look for him to return to the lineup early next week.

Nate Freiman went 4-for-4 with a homer and four RBI in Thursday's win over the Astros. Freiman drove in a pair with a double in the first and added two more RBI with a two-run shot in the third. He's quietly had a solid year in a niche role with the A's as a lefty masher. The rookie is batting .319 with three homers and eight doubles over 129 plate appearances against southpaws.

Nate Freiman delivered a walk-off RBI single against Mariano Rivera in the 18th inning of Thursday's game against the Yankees. The two clubs went from the top of the third to the top of the 18th without scoring any runs, but the A's finally put an end to things in the 18th. After Preston Claiborne allowed a one-out single, Rivera gave up two broken-bat singles sandwiched around an intentional walk. Freiman's walk-off hit came against a tough righty, but nearly all of his production this season has been against lefties, as he's sporting a .338/.395/.515 batting line against them.

Nate Freiman went 2-for-3 with a walk, double, home run, three RBI and two runs scored to help the A's beat Houston 6-2 on Sunday. Freiman was briefly a member of Houston's organization, selected in the second round of this winter's Rule 5 Draft from the Padres. Oakland claimed the massive first baseman off waivers when he failed to make the Astros' Opening Day roster. Freiman has shredded Houston pitching this year, blasting two home runs, collecting six RBI and posting a 1.102 OPS over 13 at-bats. He hasn't been as effective against the rest of the league, but Freiman's .245/.339/.434 slash line is plenty good enough for a rookie Rule 5 selection.

Nate Freiman launched his first major league home run in Monday's win over the Astros. Freiman's two-out, three-homer homer in the first inning sent Erik Bedard to the showers. It was the big first baseman's only hit on the night and his first hit in his last 11 at-bats. He'll continue to see occasional playing time at first base and DH but shouldn't be owned in fantasy leagues.

Nate Freiman has made the A's Opening Day roster. The A's claimed Freiman -- a Rule 5 Draft pick -- off waivers from the Astros on March 23. The 6-foot-8 first baseman has made a good impression in his short time in camp and should get starts against left-handers.

Athletics claimed 1B Nate Freiman off waivers from the Astros. Freiman is a Rule 5 pick, so he'll have to make the Athletics' Opening Day roster or be offered back to the Padres. Fernando Rodriguez (elbow) was placed on the 60-day disabled list in a corresponding move.

Astros GM Jeff Luhnow is optimistic that Nate Freiman will hit his way into an Opening Day roster spot. Freiman was selected in the second round of last month's Rule 5 Draft and would have to be returned to the Padres if he does not land a spot on the Astros' roster this spring. "It's a big jump from the Texas League to the big leagues," Luhnow told MLB.com, "but if he hits the way we hope he will, he'll work his way on the team."

Astros selected 1B Nate Freiman from the Padres in the second round of Thursday's Rule 5 Draft. Freiman batted .298/.370/.502 with 24 home runs and 105 RBI in 137 games this past season at Double-A San Antonio. He could turn out to be a steal for Houston.