MESA, Ariz. -- There was already plenty reason for the A's to keep close watch on their ace this spring, and now even more so, with Sonny Gray electing to participate in the World Baseball Classic.
Gray's first official spring bullpen session in front of organizational faces was moved up a few days -- he will throw off the mound on Wednesday instead of Friday -- as he readies for a potential trip to San Diego to join Team USA mid-March.
As a designated pitcher, Gray will only go if Team USA advances to the second round of the tournament, per new rules: A team can use up to 10 designated pitchers but can't have more than two on its active roster at a time.