MINNEAPOLIS -- Matt Chapman showed up to the A’s clubhouse at Target Field feeling better about his sore left ankle that forced him to depart Wednesday’s game against the Mariners, but he and the A’s are playing the long game.

The All-Star third baseman took part in normal pregame activities but was held out of Thursday’s starting lineup for the opener of a four-game series with the Twins. With the A’s on the sixth of 13 consecutive games without a day off to begin the second half, they believe an extra-cautious approach is the best route to avoid any worsening of the injury.

“We want this to calm down. This is the first stretch in a while where we have a quite a few games in a row,” A’s manager Bob Melvin said. “We want to make sure we get him out there for one day and don’t have to sit him the next.”

Without much time off over the past few weeks after participating in the Home Run Derby and All-Star Game during the break, Chapman said the soreness, which he feels more on the back part of his ankle, is likely a product of the typical wear and tear over the course of a season. He’s looking at Thursday’s off-day as a chance to decompress and recharge, expecting to find himself back in the starting lineup Friday night.

“It’s probably from a combination of things,” Chapman said. “Just playing every day and playing hard. The All-Star break, I didn’t get much of a break. It could just be a bunch of things stacking up. I’m just trying to give it a day so that I can take a day and not have to miss multiple games. Just trying to be smart.”

With Chapman having carved out his spot in the lineup as the No. 2 hitter, Melvin moved left fielder and former Twins outfielder Robbie Grossman into the two hole for Thursday’s game.

Not only has Grossman been on a tear over the last couple of months, entering Thursday's game batting .308 over his last 45 games dating back to May 13, he also has a good history against Twins starter Kyle Gibson, 4-for-8 for his career against the right-hander. Combined all that with his ability to get on base at a high clip, Grossman is an optimal candidate to fill in the two-hole.

“Somebody has to hit second without Chapman there,” Melvin said. “The fact he gets on base and was leading off earlier, that guy in that spot doesn’t have to get a hit every time, just make the pitcher work and get on base. He’s been really good for us on both ends.”

A's bullpen fresh vs. Twins

With each A’s starter going at least six innings in the five games back from the All-Star Break, Melvin has a fully rested bullpen at his disposal. With multiple relievers getting little work since the break, Melvin will actually look to get some of his arms more work. Left-handers Ryan Buchter and Wei-Chung Wang are the likely candidates given Minnesota’s lefty-heavy lineup.

“Basically, everybody is available,” Melvin said. “When you get into a stretch after five games in a row, there are usually a couple of guys down in your bullpen. That’s not the case for us.”