Morning After: If A's see Alvarez this season, likely to be in relief

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OAKLAND — As the A’s embark on a six-game road trip starting Friday, they’ll have several players continuing their rehabs from various injuries.

Here’s a rundown of health updates that manager Bob Melvin provided Wednesday:

— Reliever Sean Doolittle will make his next appearance with Triple-A Nashville on Friday, as his rehab assignment for a shoulder strain has been extended. That was largely Doolittle’s call, as he told Melvin he felt he needed to fine-tune some things, get his stuff sharper and generate some more swings and misses from opposing hitters before he returns.

— Starter Jesse Hahn, whose return from his own shoulder strain has been delayed, will throw a bullpen session Saturday and is tentatively set to start Tuesday for Nashville before his possible return to the major league rotation.

—Another right-hander, Henderson Alvarez, is scheduled to pitch an inning in an Arizona rookie league game Saturday. Melvin’s comments before Wednesday’s game made it sound almost certain that if Alvarez pitches for the A’s this season, it will be in relief. However, looking ahead to 2017, he’ll definitely be slated to start if fully recovered from his shoulder issues.

—Catcher Josh Phegley is ready to begin his own rehab assignment as he makes a gradual return from right knee surgery. Phegley will serve as designated hitter Saturday for Nashville and catch his first game Monday. Melvin is holding out hope that Phegley can return and see some big league action in September.

— The A’s are eyeing Aug. 31 as a potential date for Jed Lowrie to have surgery on his left foot. Along with getting a bunion taken care of, Lowrie requires some ligament repair in his foot. He’ll be sidelined the rest of the season.

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