OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) -Oakland Athletics third baseman Eric Chavez will likely need more time before returning from a back injury that has sidelined him all year.

The A's six-time Gold Glove winner, due to come off the 60-day disabled list Tuesday, has been playing for Triple-A Sacramento. But the 30-year-old Chavez has not played an entire nine-inning game for the River Cats and until that happens, Oakland manager Bob Geren said the team is unlikely to activate him.

``I don't want to predict anything right now,'' Geren said Friday before the A's game against Boston. ``But obviously he has to play nine innings.''

Chavez was not in Sacramento's starting lineup Friday but played seven innings on Thursday, going 1-for-4 with a double and a run scored. It was the first time during his rehab stint that Chavez played longer than five innings.

Overall, the 30-year-old Chavez is batting .421 (8-for-29) with three doubles, one home run and two RBIs. He has made three starts at third base and three at DH.

Chavez is scheduled to play for the River Cats on Saturday, though Geren was uncertain for how long. He has made six rehab starts with Sacramento and was in the leadoff spot on Thursday.

The A's, despite committing 31 errors through their first 48 games, are willing to wait for Chavez to be fully healed before calling him up.

``It's not a specific thing,'' Geren said. ``Just in general, when he's ready.''

Chavez opened the season on the 15-day DL before being transferred to the 60-day DL in April.Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.