Kurt Suzuki says he's in best shape of his career

PHOENIX (AP) - Oakland Athletics catcher Kurt Suzuki says he is in the best shape of his career, going through a rigorous training regimen.

Part of the training involves taking a super-size ball and draping himself over it. He becomes a human pretzel, twisting and stretching his arms, hips and legs to gain more flexibility. It also helps with endurance.

"I've been working with it for about three months now and I have a good idea of what I'm doing," Suzuki said. "The exercises make me feel good, stretch me out, keep me loose and quick. ... I feel as good now as I've ever felt. You have to be able to bounce back the next day. Because of the position I play, I need to be flexible. It helps with everything, hitting, throwing."

Suzuki said he is far from where he wants to be as an overall player.

"That's the big part," he said. "You need to keep evolving, learning, the more seasons you get under your belt. You have to keep yourself fresh, be at as high of a level as you can. You never want to reach the point where you say, 'I've got it all down."'

Oakland manager Bob Geren said that Suzuki might hit lower in the order this season, so he wouldn't feel as much pressure to produce offensively and due to the fact that the team acquired a few big run-producers, DH Hideki Matsui and outfielder Josh Willingham.

"I'm sure it's going to change," Suzuki said of the batting order. "He (Geren) asked me how I feel about it. I'll hit second through sixth, whatever best the lineup would be that day."

Suzuki also said he sees limitless potential in the Athletics' young rotation of left-handers, Dallas Braden, Brett Anderson and Gio Gonzalez, and right-hander Trevor Cahill.

"They're so talented," Suzuki said. "I don't think they realize and other people realize how special they are. But they have to keep trying to get better. Who knows what they are capable of? I just want to do whatever I can to help them."

NOTES: Braden started the team's intrasquad game on Friday and the first batter to face him was: Alex Rodriguez? It was actually outfielder Coco Crisp, who had "A-Rod" taped across the back of his green uniform top. ... Max Stassi became the second non-roster catcher in as many days to hit a monster home run. The team believes Stassi, who turns 20 on March 15, is a potential star in the making.