OAKLAND -- A's closer Huston Street told manager Bob Geren that his strained groin felt better on Tuesday, but Geren wasn't certain if he'd be able use Street in the opener of a three-game series against the visiting Yankees.

"It'll be a game-time decision," Geren said.

That likely will be the case on Wednesday night for the second game of the series, too. Street, who hasn't pitched since throwing a shutout inning on Friday night against the Angels, publicly acknowledged the strain on Sunday.

A team source said early last week that Street, who has allowed one run over his past nine outings and ranked fifth among AL relievers with a 33 strikeouts, has been dealing with the strain since being used in the ninth inning of a 13-8 victory on June 1 at Texas.

"He just wasn't feeling great physically, and he asked not to be used that day unless there was a save situation," said the source. "But I guess a six-run lead in Arlington, some people see that as a save situation."

"This is a big-inning ballpark," Geren said after Street entered the game with the A's holding a six-run lead.

He threw 18 pitches in 90-degree weather and allowed a solo homer to Josh Hamilton.

"My job is to pitch when they give me the ball," Street said, "and I take the ball whenever I can."

Street is 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA and three saves in 11 career outings against the Yankees.

Pitching matchup
OAK: RHP Justin Duchscherer (5-4, 2.32 ERA)
Duchscherer was drilled on his left wrist by a line drive his last time out, but shook it off and ended up with the latest in a string of solid starts, holding Detroit to two runs on three hits despite a career-high five walks. It was the fifth time this season he tossed at least six innings and the seventh time he allowed two runs or fewer. Duchscherer faced the Yankees once last season, allowing two hits in one inning of relief work. He is 0-1 with a 6.75 ERA in seven career appearances against New York, all in relief.

NYY: RHP Darrell Rasner (3-3, 2.58 ERA)
Rasner suffered a tough-luck loss his last time out, falling 2-1 to the Royals on Friday. It marked his third consecutive defeat, despite giving up just two runs over eight innings while throwing a career-high 118 pitches. Rasner, who scattered nine hits and struck out four against Kansas City, hasn't gotten much run support of late from the vaunted Yankees offense, which has scored just three combined runs in Rasner's past three starts.

Dribblers ...
While first baseman/designated hitter Mike Sweeney is scheduled to undergo arthroscopic surgery on his left knee Wednesday, DH Frank Thomas is scheduled to have his strained right quadriceps examined by a doctor in Los Angeles. Thomas, who, like Sweeney, has been on the DL since late May, has been rehabbing at home in Las Vegas. Geren said Thomas has been steadily improving and could return as early as June 20. Asked if the Big Hurt would need a short rehab stint in the Minors, Geren said it was unlikely. "He feels that his swing would come back quickly," said the skipper. ... Outfielder Ryan Sweeney (toe contusion), eligible to return from the DL on Friday, went 2-for-4 with a double for Triple-A Sacramento on Monday to raise his batting average to .381 (8-for-21) in five rehab games with the River Cats. ... Righty Santiago Casilla (right elbow) was scheduled to pitch for Class A Stockton on Tuesday and will pitch two innings for Sacramento on Friday. If all goes well, he'll be activated by the time the A's head to Arizona for a three-game Interleague series June 17-19. ... Outfielder Travis Buck, first baseman Daric Barton and catcher Kurt Suzuki took advantage of Monday's off-day by taking in the World Wrestling Entertainment production at Oracle Arena. They sat in the front row, and Buck apparently got pretty into it. He nearly yelled himself hoarse.

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Up next
• Thursday: Athletics (Joe Blanton, 3-8, 4.15) vs. Yankees (Andy Pettitte, 5-5, 4.99), 7:05 p.m. PT
• Friday: Athletics (Greg Smith, 3-5, 3.74) at Giants (Barry Zito, 2-9, 5.83), 7:15 p.m. PT
• Saturday: Athletics (Rich Harden, 3-0, 2.85) at Giants (Matt Cain, 3-4, 4.43), 6:05 p.m. PT