OAKLAND -- Right-hander Kendall Graveman will soon begin a strengthening program for his injured shoulder, but there's still no timetable for the A's Opening Night starter to resume throwing.
Graveman was originally scheduled to start the first game of the A's road trip in New York last week, but he was scratched just hours before first pitch. The right-hander had an MRI that revealed no structural damage, and he was officially placed on the disabled list Monday.
Graveman has inflammation in the rotator cuff and shoulder capsule and has been prescribed rest. He's expected to begin strengthening exercises next week but he will remain shut down from throwing for the time being, meaning the A's are likely to be without him for most of June.
Graveman spent time on the disabled list with the same injury from April 15-26 and tried pitching through it, before coming to terms with the fact that he was doing more harm than good by doing so.
"I got to the point, in my mind, where I felt I wasn't doing anybody any justice going up there, myself included, to continue to pitch," Graveman said Friday. "The competitiveness inside the game and inside my mind -- I want to get out there, I want to pitch. But I knew it just didn't feel right.
"I had to speak up and be honest, and I think we've really come a long way the last 10 days. As long as I continue on this path, we're moving in the right direction to getting back to throwing."
Graveman is 2-2 with a 3.83 ERA in eight starts this season.
"It's hard not to look at the small picture and the time you're missing," he said. "But I hope to come back and pitch the rest of the season healthy and not have to keep dealing with this every four to five starts."
Hahn nearing return
Right-hander Jesse Hahn, stationed on the DL with a right triceps strain, said he feels "ready to go" after making one Minor League rehab start with Class-A Advanced Stockton on Wednesday.
It's unclear when Hahn will next pitch, but there's a good chance it will be off the DL. He'll throw a normal bullpen session on Saturday.
Worth Noting
• A's shortstop Marcus Semien threw over the top from 75 feet on Friday, as he continues to build back strength in his surgically repaired right wrist. He also started swinging with a fungo bat as part of a swing progression program.
Semien is eligible to come off the DL on June 14, but the end of the month appears more realistic for his return.
• The A's will dedicate Catfish Hunter Gate at the Coliseum's C Gate on June 17 before the club's 1:05 p.m. matchup with the Yankees. Family members of the former Athletic and Hall of Famer will be joined at the ceremony by several of his former teammates, including Vida Blue, Bert Campaneris, Darold Knowles, John "Blue Moon" Odom, Joe Rudi and Gene Tenace.