OAKLAND -- After getting a scare over the weekend from seeing arguably their top pitcher depart a game early due to injury, the A’s returned home from Texas a little more optimistic about the status of Mike Fiers.

The right-hander met with doctors on Monday before the start of a three-game series with the Royals and was expecting to throw his normal bullpen session on Tuesday. But before Fiers can actually do that, he’ll undergo an MRI exam on Tuesday morning.

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“He’s feeling better today. Hopefully it’s more muscular,” A’s manager Bob Melvin said. “Hopefully we caught a break as far as that goes. We have a little room to move things around with the off-day on Thursday, as far as his start. But [we're] not altering anything until we get that information tomorrow.”

Fiers was diagnosed with right arm nerve irritation following his early exit on Saturday against the Rangers. He experienced numbness in his hand after throwing a pitch, something he said had occurred on at least two other occasions this season.

With the A’s currently employing a six-man rotation, Fiers’ next turn in the rotation would come on Saturday, with the Rangers in town for a three-game series.

Piscotty’s return in doubt

Stephen Piscotty is out of his walking boot, but the outfielder has hit some speed bumps as he works on returning from the right ankle sprain that has kept him on the injured list since Aug. 24.

“He’s still having a tough go of it,” Melvin said. “He had some ankle soreness the last couple of days, so we’re kind of backing off on where he’s at right now.”

Even if Piscotty were to progress in the next week, it would be difficult to find him rehab at-bats with the Minor League season coming to a close. At this point, it appears to be a long shot for Piscotty to play another game this season, but the A’s will hold out hope.

“We have to give him a full go first, and he’s not there. Until that happens, we’re status quo,” Melvin said. “I think we’re still in a position where anything is open. He would have to respond quickly, but he has before. He’s day to day as far as baseball activity.”

If Piscotty misses the remainder of the season, the A’s are in a good spot with Ramón Laureano playing well in right field while Mark Canha patrols center.