At some point, manager Bob Melvin figures, the A’s have to start getting more players off the DL than going onto it, and there are several pitchers whose returns are on the horizon.
Kendall Graveman is expected to be back next week at Anaheim after missing just one start following trouble getting lose on a cold night Friday at the Coliseum. Sonny Gray’s return appears to be targeted for May 2 at Minnesota. And Chris Bassitt could be an option in another month or so, given his smooth recovery from Tommy John surgery.
Then there is Daniel Mengden, something of a forgotten figure since fracturing a bone in his right foot right before spring training.