MESA, Ariz. - The last A’s pitcher to take the mound this spring was finally in action Tuesday: Sean Doolittle, the longest-tenured Oakland player, worked a scoreless sixth inning in the A’s 4-3 loss to the Rockies.
Doolittle got two flyball outs and a lineup in his 1-2-3 inning, his first appearance coming in Oakland’s 16th game of the spring. The A’s wanted to ease him in in the hopes of keeping him healthier throughout the regular season; he has had DL stints each of the past three years.
“I was really confident in the plan to take it slow, I believe it was the right thing to do, “ he said, “But you get a little anxious, wanting to get in there while you’re watching your teammates get ready for the season.