OAKLAND -- Sonny Gray is closing in on a return to the A's rotation, according to manager Bob Melvin.
Gray, who is on the disabled list with a trapezius strain, will throw a bullpen session on Thursday and pitch in a rehab assignment on Sunday with Class A Advanced Stockton. That would put him on track to open the team's series in Cincinnati on June 10 barring any setbacks, Melvin said.
"Physically, he's fine," Melvin said. "It's just about getting him enough pitches to where he can start in a game again."
Gray threw a three-inning simulated game at the Coliseum on Tuesday, tossing 50 pitches and facing batters for the first time since going on the DL on May 22.