03/09/2006 7:04 PM ET Notes: Macha pinpoints small stuff Kendall to get more action; Harden to make first start Friday By Rick Eymer / Special to MLB.com

Shortstop Cliff Pennington takes a throw to force Matthew Gamel during the sixth inning of Thursday's 7-3 win over the Brewers. (Will Powers/AP) Related Links • Kotsay homers as A's down Brewers • Spring tix | Fan Guide | Gear | Full coverage MLB Headlines • Soriano will take the field -- left field • Ponson named Cards' fifth starter • Mets temporarily shut down Wagner • With Classic over, MLB looks ahead • Damon sidesteps Yanks-Sox spotlight • Ilitch itching to get more involved • Arroyo arrives at Reds camp • Roberts makes spring debut • More MLB Headlines ADVERTISEMENT

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"We focused in on what we needed to do to get guys ready," Macha said. "Who needs more at-bats, who needs more work."

Some of the topics that were brought up in the meeting included the play of the outfielders and catchers.

"The outfielders aren't throwing the ball where we want them and I don't think we should have those passed balls," Macha said. "We have high expectations for this team and we feel the players should have the same expectations. I realize it's early, but you don't just turn on the switch."

Macha also said that results aren't everything when determining a player's progress.

"An outfielder can get a guy out at the plate with a throw that bounces six times during the spring, but over the course of a 162-game season that won't happen very often," he said. "If you base your thinking on results, you're tricking yourself. It's nice to get a win, but I'd rather see good at-bats."

One of the main decisions to come out of the meeting is to use catcher Jason Kendall more often. He made a second consecutive start on Thursday for the first time this spring.

"He hasn't gotten a whole lot of at-bats because we're taking it easy with his knee," Macha said. "We feel comfortable with the progress of our injured players and we need to get them in there."

If it were up to the pitchers, Kendall would play all 162 games during the regular season. The pitchers did influence Macha's decision to use Kendall in 150 games last year.

"I loved the way he handled the pitching staff and it's one of reasons he got more playing time," Macha said. "When you have pitchers who have so much confidence in him and how he calls a game you put him in there."

At the same time, Macha said he'll be looking for ways to use backup catcher Adam Melhuse a little more this year. The 34-year-old veteran was used in just 39 games last year, 16 as a catcher.

Harden feeling good: Right-handed pitcher Rich Harden was forced to cut short his workout on Wednesday, but it won't postpone his scheduled first appearance on Friday in Surprise, Ariz.

Harden participated in a long-toss drill but a neck problem forced him to end his workout. Trainers were able to work the kinks out of his neck after the workout.

"He says he's feeling good and he felt strong," Macha said. "He was real happy about a certain baseball game that was played."

Harden, a native of British Columbia, was ecstatic that Team Canada defeated Team USA, 8-6, on Wednesday in the World Baseball Classic.

"It was pretty cool," he said.

A's outfielder Jay Payton was heard singing "Oh, Canada" in the clubhouse before Thursday's game.

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Spring Training info:
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Zito on course: Left-hander Barry Zito seemed impressed with pitching to Tony Gwynn Jr. The Milwaukee Brewers' prospect hit a hard fly ball and tripled off of him.

"It's pretty cool pitching to your hero's son or to your heroes, either way," Zito said. "It seems like Tony is younger than he is and now he has a kid knocking on the door."

The younger Gwynn has spent the past two seasons at Double-A Huntsville.

Zito was happy with his second outing of the spring. He gave up two runs on five hits over three innings with a walk and three strikeouts.

"I was working on my changeup and they had some swings today where it looked like they thought it was a fastball coming out," Zito said. "I'm focusing in mixing all my pitches up like I'm going to during the season."

Short hops: Rigvht-hander Justin Duchscherer saw his first action of the spring, pitching a scoreless inning on Thursday.

"I felt like I was behind all the pitchers, but now that I've been out there I feel back on track."

Duchscherer missed the first seven games with a groin injury. On Tuesday, he was hit in the right shoulder by a line drive during batting practice.

"It's a little sore but it doesn't bother me to pitch," he said. "Hopefully I can build my pitch count up to three innings."

Coming up: The A's will send a split squad to Surprise, with Harden facing Jeremy Affeldt and the Royals at 12:05 p.m. PT. Kirk Saarloos (0-0, 2.25 ERA) makes his second start of the spring against the Angels in Tempe at 12:05 p.m. PT. He'll be opposed by Joe Saunders.

Rick Eymer is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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