NEW YORK - Chris Smith, called up as a spot starter right before the All-Star break, might be slowly working his way into Oakland’s rotation.
Smith, who put up a 2.77 ERA in his first two starts, will go again for Oakland at Toronto on Monday, with Jharel Cotton heading back to Triple-A Nashville to continue his rehab assignment while returning from blister issues.
And Smith - at 36, the oldest player in Athletics history to make his first big-league start - is thrilled every time he gets another one. “Why not, right?” he said Sunday at Citi Field.