Jaso to see at-bats with instructional league

OAKLAND -- John Jaso's journey back from a concussion is next headed to the instructional league.

Jaso took batting practice without experiencing any symptoms for the first time on Tuesday, and he's progressing so well that the team is expected to have him get a few at-bats in instructional league games within the next week.

The A's catcher, who has been sidelined since the end of July, was not anticipated to be ready in time to appear on the postseason roster, should the A's clinch a playoff spot, as expected. But on Thursday, Melvin wasn't ruling out such a possibility.

"Three or four days ago, I didn't think there was a chance where maybe now there is a chance," Melvin said. "He really turned the corner three or four days ago. Now that he's out here doing baseball activity and taking batting practice, the next step is to get some at-bats, and if that's the case, you never know."

At the very least, having Jaso healthy could give the A's a lefty-swinging backup option, in the unlikely event Stephen Vogt goes down to injury at some point. Vogt and Derek Norris are likely to be the catchers appointed to the postseason roster.