A’s manager Bob Melvin revealed his post-All Star break rotation to reporters Sunday, with Sonny Gray pitching the first game back Friday against Minnesota, followed by Scott Kazmir, Jesse Chavez and Kendall Graveman.
With Gray also taking the ball in today’s first-half finale at Cleveland, it will present the rare scenario of a big league pitcher starting two games in a row for his team, albeit with a four-day gap in between.
Chris Bassitt was optioned to Triple-A Nashville on Sunday to clear a roster spot for reliever Dan Otero, but Bassitt probably won’t be in the minors long. The A’s will play three against Minnesota coming out of the break and then have a day off July 20. They won’t need a fifth starter until July 25 against the Giants, with Bassitt the front-runner to return to the big club and make that start, as Jesse Hahn doesn’t figure to be back yet from a strained forearm.
For now, the A’s are carrying an extra reliever. Otero posted a 1.08 ERA in nine appearances with Nashville and has shown improved command of his entire repertoire.
