OAKLAND -- Matt Chapman feels strong and healthy, and in the best-case scenario, could return to the lineup on Tuesday.
After taking batting practice on Sunday, the A's third baseman will make a rehab start for Class A Advanced Stockton on Monday. He said the soreness in his right hand, which forced him to the disabled list two weeks ago, feels as good as it has all year, and he had no pain when swinging on Sunday.
"He hit a few off the back wall in center field, so that tells me enough," manager Bob Melvin said.
Chapman received another cortisone shot on Monday that appeared to work, after a previous shot was not effective.
"When I first came back from that first shot, when I started swinging again, I was still hurting, still sore," Chapman said. "Today, nothing."
Chapman will gauge where he's at after facing live pitching tomorrow. But Melvin and the A's are eager to have him back in the lineup and on the field, where second baseman Jed Lowrie has slid over to third in Chapman's absence and Franklin Barreto has played the bulk of games at second.
"You look at the numbers, he's a big part of not only the offense, but the defense," Melvin said. "Allows Jed to go back to his natural position. You know over the course of the season you're going to have some injuries, and you have to power through a little bit. Getting him back in the lineup will be a nice little kick for us."
Chapman is hitting .250 with 10 home runs this season and could be a candidate for a Gold Glove. Even if he can't play, he's enjoying his team's recent hot streak. The A's have won six straight and 12 of their last 14 games.

"I was pretty jealous," Chapman said on watching from home during the last road trip. "Being back in the dugout's been a lot of fun. It's pretty cool to be where we are at this point in the season."
Worth noting
Trevor Cahill, who has been sidelined since June 11 with a strained right Achilles, will throw in Arizona on Tuesday. If that goes well, he will likely make a rehab start at Triple-A Nashville.