Jharel Cotton, pushed back several days by a blister on his right hand, threw a bullpen session Saturday that went well, putting the rookie in line to start Monday.
“The blister’s healed,” Cotton said. “Now I’m just ready to pitch when they call on me.”
Cotton said that his curveball is the pitch that had caused the most trouble with the blister but he won’t shy away from throwing curveballs Monday.
Third baseman Matt Chapman, returning from a knee infection that necessitated hospitalization, fared so well in his on-field workout Friday that he was sent to Class-A Stockton a day early; he’ll DH for the Ports later Saturday and also play there on Sunday.