A’s decide to keep Manager Bob Geren in 2011

The Oakland Athletics exercised their club option to keep Manager Bob Geren for the 2011 season.

Geren received a one-year contract extension with the option in March 2009. He was promoted from bench coach in November 2006 by General Manager Billy Beane, a close friend. The GM had given Geren a vote of confidence this season, another in which the A’s have been plagued by injuries but still stayed competitive in the AL West.

The 48-year-old Geren, the 28th manager in franchise history, had a 296-329 record in four seasons entering Saturday night’s game against the Boston Red Sox. Oakland gave him his first big league managerial job.

Garcia scratched from start

Chicago White Sox right-hander Freddy Garcia was scratched from Sunday’s scheduled start against the Kansas City Royals because of a sore lower back.

Garcia, who had an epidural on Thursday, will throw on the side before the White Sox decide when he will make his next start. White Sox Manager Ozzie Guillen said right-hander Lucas Harrell would start in place of Garcia on Sunday.

In Tuesday’s loss to the Detroit Tigers, Garcia was limited to two inning before leaving because of a stiff lower back. Garcia is 11-6 with a 4.88 earned-run average in 26 starts.