ARLINGTON -- The A's plan to bring back left-hander Dillon Overton on Saturday for a start in Cleveland.
Overton, the organization's No. 9 prospect, will be embarking on his third stint with the A's this season and fourth big league start. He compiled an 8.40 ERA in his first three, pitching to mixed results.
The 24-year-old essentially sandwiched one disastrous outing between two good ones, most recently limiting the Astros to three runs in 6 1/3 innings in a spot start on July 19. His last outing with the A's prior to that fell on June 30, when he was rocked for eight runs in three innings against the Giants.
"I think he responded well last time," A's manager Bob Melvin said. "That can resonate with you for a while. A tough outing at the big leagues, you get sent down, it's not the greatest feeling in the world. Then to come back and respond with the outing that he had showed me a lot about him.
"I'm eager to see what he has for us on Saturday."
Wednesday's announcement of Overton's forthcoming return comes on the heels of Oakland's decision to option struggling right-hander Daniel Mengden to Triple-A Nashville.
The A's pitching plans for Sunday, meanwhile, remain in limbo as they wait to see how Rich Hill (blister) comes out of a bullpen session Friday. Should Hill be unable to go Sunday, Sonny Gray would start against the Indians on normal rest.
Worth noting
• Left-hander Sean Doolittle (shoulder strain) resumed throwing Tuesday for the first time since hitting the disabled list. Doolittle played catch out to 75 feet and is expected to increase that distance to 90 on Thursday.
• Andrew Triggs, sidelined by a left shin contusion, was back in action Tuesday, allowing one run on two hits across one inning in his first rehab appearance for Nashville. The right-hander is slated for two more innings with the Sounds on Thursday.