The next time Eric Chavez's back goes out, his career will likely be over. "Pretty much game, set and match," said Chavez to the San Francisco Chronicle. Chavez is rehabbing his most recent back problem in Arizona in the hopes of rejoining the A's on their next homestand. If his back goes out again, Chavez will need to have his previously repaired vertebra, the L4-L5, fused with the vertebra that is currently herniated, which is the L3-L4. Another microdiscectomy such as the one Chavez had in October, 2007, is out, because it would leave his spine too unstable, Chavez said. Spinal fusions don't allow for the type of physical activity performed by pro athletes. "This last (diagnosis) is a little bit of a punch in the gut for everyone," A's general manager Billy Beane said, "Especially for Eric, because he's worked so hard and dealt with so many issues."