The latest news and notes from Oakland as they make final preparations for Japan! Two spots on the infield remain up for grabs with just one week left until Brandon McCarthy throws out the first pitch of the season:

• Scott Sizemore Undergoes Surgery on Torn ACL | MLB.com
  A's third baseman Scott Sizemore underwent successful surgery to repair a torn ACL in his left knee on Wednesday morning, and he is expected to make a full recovery by Spring Training next year.
• The Battle for Third Base | Twitter @joestiglich
  #Athletics haven't settled on Donaldson yet at 3b. Melvin says Sogard still being considered as well.
• First base still up for Grabs | Twitter @susanslusser
  3B would be either Donaldson or Sogard, 1B either Allen or Ka'aihue. Some of it will be based on matchups. #Athletics
• Spring Training Impressions; The Final Japan Roster and Beyond | Athletics Nation
  I mean no offense to Eric Sogard, Josh Donaldson or Adam Rosales, who are all busting their collective asses out on the field every day, but to know that we had a legitimate third baseman, who was probably going to have a career year, is more than a little disheartening

• Constant Roster Change Never Stops in Oakland | Danny Knobler - CBSSports.com
  After dealing three good, young arms for three younger, the thrifty A's don't expect to compete with the Rangers and Angels. At least, not this year. Danny Knobler says it's business as usual in Oakland.
• Athletics: A's hitting coach Chili Davis returns to area
  Davis is making a Bay Area comeback, and he his hands full. Not only with helping to usher in the Céspedes era and monitoring Manny Ramirez, but getting life out of an offense that last year produced the seventh-lowest batting average and on-base percentage in Oakland history.
• Five questions: Oakland Athletics | Hardball Times
  Will the A's strike out in 2012 like Moneyball did at the Oscars (0-for-6)?