ANAHEIM -- The A's remain hopeful they can avoid adding another member of their starting staff to the disabled list, with lefty Sean Manaea reporting progress a day after exiting his start in Anaheim with left shoulder tightness.
Manaea didn't pick up a baseball Thursday, but will test his shoulder in Houston on Friday by playing catch. Only then will the A's have a better idea how long they'll be without him.
"It feels better than it did yesterday," Manaea said. "We'll see how tomorrow goes and then go from there."
Manaea made it through just two innings and 34 pitches Wednesday night, showcasing diminished velocity in the three-run outing.
The A's are afforded the luxury of skipping his next turn through the rotation, or at least pushing him back several days, thanks to Monday's off-day. In addition, they'll soon have a reinforcement on the way -- and in the form of an ace to boot.
Right-hander Sonny Gray (lat) tossed six scoreless innings in his latest rehab start for Triple-A Nashville on Thursday evening, keeping him on track for a return in Minnesota next week.
"We'll take all that into consideration," A's manager Bob Melvin said, "but first and foremost, it's going to be how [Manaea] feels starting tomorrow."
Worth noting
• Matt Olson was optioned to Nashville on Thursday to make room for starter Kendall Graveman. Olson played in one game for the A's following his Friday promotion and went 0-for-3 in a start in right field.
• Reliever John Axford (shoulder) is playing catch out to 90 feet and could still join the team on this road trip to begin throwing bullpen sessions in front of the A's coaching staff.