HOUSTON -- Rookie third baseman Matt Chapman, released from the hospital on Sunday, will be back on the field on Friday to join the A's for a full assortment of baseball activity, putting him closer to a return.
Chapman, who spent four nights receiving treatment for an infection in his left knee, is expected to go through these activities for a couple of days before the team decides whether a short Minor League rehab stint is necessary.
Chapman played in just four games following his June 15 promotion from Triple-A Nashville before succumbing to the infection, going 3-for-14 with three RBIs against the Yankees.
He's since spent much of his recovery time texting his manager.
"He texts me all the time, almost after every game," Bob Melvin said, smiling. "He feels great. He tells me he feels better than some of the reports I get sometimes. He was lying in a hospital bed telling me he's ready to play, so I kind of take that with a grain of salt."
Cotton's start up in air
Right-hander Jharel Cotton, lifted early from his Friday start against the White Sox because of a blister on his right thumb, is penciled in to make his next scheduled start, in Houston on Thursday, but Melvin noted he could be pushed back.

Cotton engaged in long toss on Tuesday, and the A's are expected to make a decision soon on his availability for Thursday's series finale. Because of Monday's off-day, the A's could start right-hander Daniel Gossett on normal rest if need be.
Worth noting
• On Monday, second baseman Jed Lowrie underwent an MRI on his right knee that came back clean, leading him to tell Melvin, "Put me in at second." So the veteran was back in the lineup on Tuesday after not starting back-to-back games because of a slight sprain. Lowrie delivered a pinch-hit RBI single in the seventh inning during Sunday's win in Chicago.
With Lowrie back in the mix, rookie Franklin Barreto made his shortstop debut on Tuesday.
• Right-handers Kendall Graveman (shoulder) and Ryan Dull (right knee) both threw from flat ground on Tuesday for the first time since hitting the disabled list.
• Chris Bassitt, recovering from Tommy John surgery, is expected to restart a Minor League rehab assignment on Wednesday, beginning with one inning with Class A Advanced Stockton. Bassitt made five rehab appearances (four starts) in the Minors before being shut down in May because of arm fatigue.
• Right-hander Bobby Wahl, on the DL with a strained right shoulder since May 24, played catch on Tuesday for the first time since sustaining the injury.