Anderson throws 40 pain-free pitches in 'pen session

HOUSTON -- Mid-August is looking more and more like the time the A's can expect to welcome back lefty Brett Anderson, who continues to progress in his rehab without any issues.

Anderson, nursing a stress fracture in his right foot back to health, threw his second bullpen session of the week on Wednesday, tossing 40 pitches pain-free.

"He feels as good about this one as he did about the last one, maybe even better," manager Bob Melvin said. "I wasn't out there for this one, but he came in with a smile on his face and said he was nastier this time than he was last time."

The plan is for Anderson to throw another bullpen session before week's end. Should all go well, it's likely he'll then throw to hitters, possibly in a simulated game or simply live batting practice, before the A's decide if he's ready for a rehab assignment.

"Just depends if everything goes well," Melvin said. "We want to make sure every step that we take with him goes accordingly."