ANAHEIM -- As expected, A's closer Huston Street, on the disabled list with an irritated elbow nerve since May 13, was activated Monday. Less expected was the corresponding roster move.

In the likely precursor to a trade within the next eight days, outfielder Bobby Kielty was designated for assignment. Kielty, 30, was informed of the decision after arriving at Angel Stadium for the opener of a three-game series against the American League West leaders.

"It sounds like there's a trade in the works," Kielty said by phone after the move was announced in a press release.

A's assistant general manager David Forst did not dispute that notion, though he insistent nothing was imminent.

"A couple of teams have expressed interest," said Forst, who is on the road with the club. "There's nothing in place, but I think we'll get something worked out. ... He can play a role for someone; he can hit left-handed pitching."

Added A's manager Bob Geren of Kielty, "I wish him well; I like him very much. He'll land somewhere on his feet, and he'll help someone."

A switch hitter who batted .304 against lefties -- .213 vs. righties -- from 2004-2006, Kielty has heard that the Red Sox are one of the teams in pursuit.

"It's just rumors, but that's been out there the past couple weeks, that they might try to get me," he said. "I don't know if it's true, so I guess I'm in limbo for a few days, but I'm pretty sure [a trade] will happen one way or another."

Forst said the A's only recently started discussing Kielty with other teams, particularly after the timetable for Street's return to the roster became clear. Other options regarding the corresponding move were considered, but Geren's comfort with a 12-man pitching staff and the crowded state of Oakland's outfield were significant factors.

Geren had to sit Mark Kotsay and Travis Buck on Monday while Shannon Stewart, Nick Swisher and Jack Cust started in the outfield, with Mike Piazza at designated hitter. In addition to Kielty, one or more of the aforementioned might not be with Oakland beyond the July 31 non-waiver trading deadline.

"It's a challenge for him," Forst said of Geren. "Certainly, in the next eight days we're going to be having conversations [with other clubs], and there's some interest in some of our guys."

Kielty said he had a feeling the move was coming, noting that he'd had at least one conversation with Oakland GM Billy Beane about the possibility of being traded "quite some time ago." And he insisted that he'll be leaving the A's with no hard feelings.

"Honestly, I'm not disappointed at all," he said. "I had a good time in Oakland. Going to the playoffs and everything was a lot of fun, and the guys in the clubhouse are great. But I've been here 3 1/2 years, I'm going to be a free agent next year, and they're going in a different direction. It's time that I move on and they move on. That's just the way the game works.

"I'm not disappointed by any means. I see this as an opportunity to open some eyes somewhere else."

Kielty has a reported salary of $2.1 million this season. It's likely that if he's traded, the A's will agree to pay part of what's still owed him, as they did in the trades of Milton Bradley and Jason Kendall.

Embree still the closer: Although Street has been declared ready for action without restrictions, he won't be jumping right back into his old job. Lefty Alan Embree, who was 10-for-12 in save opportunities with Street out, will remain in the role for now.

"I plan to use him in a sixth-, seventh-, eighth-inning type of role until he gets a few innings under his belt," Geren said of Street. "He's only thrown one inning [in a rehab assignment], and Alan's done a nice job for us, so in fairness to [Street] and Alan and the team, I'm gonna stick with Alan as the closer for the time being."

That's fine with Embree, who cracked, "My setup guy's finally here!" while nodding in Street's direction before batting practice.

"It took me 14 Major League seasons to get a shot at closing, and it's been enjoyable," said Embree, 37. "I always wondered if I could do it, but I was never on a team where we needed a closer. All the teams I've played on had great closers."

Among the closers for whom Embree has set up include Jose Mesa (Indians), Mark Wohlers (Braves), Gregg Olson (Diamondbacks), Robb Nenn (Giants), Keith Foulke (White Sox and Red Sox), Trevor Hoffman (Padres), Mariano Rivera (Yankees) and Street.

Embree said he's happy to fill whatever role the A's need him to, and as much as he's enjoyed closing, he knows he's merely keeping the ninth-inning role warm for Street.

"He makes us better," Embree said. "It gives us some depth and takes some stress off our starters so they don't have to feel like they have to go seven innings every time out. I know they'd like to, but if they don't, we can cover them better with Huston back in here."

Dribblers: Third baseman Eric Chavez, who missed four consecutive games last week with back stiffness, was out of the lineup again Monday and could miss the entire series. "I just want him to get healed up," Geren said. ... Kotsay wasn't in the lineup in part because he is 3-for-20 lifetime against Angels starter Bartolo Colon, who left the game with right elbow irritation after giving up four runs in the first inning. ... Told that a fan had been spotted wearing a replica of his Team Italy jersey from the 2006 World Baseball Classic, Piazza, eyes wide, said, "Wow. Really? That's a collector's item, right there." One of Piazza's teammates in the WBC was A's lefty Lenny DiNardo. ... Kendall is gone, but not forgotten. In the clubhouse before batting practice, Bobby Crosby was wearing a T-shirt bearing Kendall's picture on the back and references to the card game Crosby and Kendall played every day. Crosby said he had mugs made featuring the same design.

Up next: DiNardo (4-6, 2.51 ERA) takes on Angels righty Kelvim Escobar (11-3, 2.85 ERA) in the second game of the series Tuesday. The first pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. PT.