Chavez to start for Hahn Thursday

ANAHEIM -- A's right-hander Jesse Chavez will start against the Angels on Thursday in place of Jesse Hahn, who will be given more time to allow the blister on his pitching hand to heal.

It will mark the first start of the season for Chavez but his fifth appearance, his last resulting in 3 2/3 scoreless innings with six strikeouts in relief of Hahn on Saturday in Kansas City. Chavez went 8-7 with a 3.44 ERA in 21 starts last year.

Video: OAK@KC: Hahn holds Rays scoreless before early exit

Hahn played catch in Anaheim on Monday, and the blister "looks better," according to A's manager Bob Melvin, but the club does not want to rush Hahn's return.

"Jesse Chavez is a good guy to have in your pocket when something like that happens," said Melvin.

It's not yet known when Hahn will make his next start, since the A's could potentially use their April 27 off-day to alter their rotation.

• Right-hander Jarrod Parker on Thursday will take the mound in a game for the first time since undergoing Tommy John surgery last spring. Parker is scheduled to start for Class A Advanced Stockton in Visalia and throw four innings.