Ailing Gray to avoid stint on disabled list

OAKLAND -- Sonny Gray celebrated the news that he could eat meat again in a way many people his age would.

He ate Chipotle.

Steak, rice and lettuce in a burrito bowl. No guacamole -- yet.

"Baby steps, for sure," Gray said.

But the news is good for Gray, who said he will not be placed on the disabled list. Gray will likely miss another start Sunday against Seattle, but he may return when the A's face the Yankees in New York from Tuesday to Thursday.

Gray was hospitalized with salmonella from Monday to Wednesday. He rejoined the A's and played catch for the first time on Thursday. On Friday, he played catch again, ran around and A's manager Bob Melvin said he might throw off a mound.

The right-hander said he feels "pretty normal," adding that he can make himself a sandwich whenever he'd like now, which he wasn't permitted to do Thursday.

Melvin said his decision on when Gray returns will be based on Gray's and the team's needs, not on a potential All-Star Game appearance.

"I think you first have to look at the team and how we can get him pitching for us sooner than later."

In the meantime, Melvin said, Chris Bassitt will likely fill in again for Gray on Sunday.

Melvin said Bassitt filled in admirably for Gray in a 2-1 loss to the Rockies on Tuesday, even though the right-hander traveled from Nashville to Oakland and pitching on limited rest.

"I'm very happy with his performance when he traveled cross-country," Melvin said, smiling. "If we have to do that again we'll do that."

Though Gray has been in agony the past few days, there is one silver lining to the situation -- he's been able to rest his arm. He said he might have gotten some rest anyway, but this has helped his arm recuperate.

"Coming back in the next couple of days, I think I'll start feeling really good," Gray said. "I mean my body feels pretty good now."

• Melvin said outfielder Coco Crisp, who is on the disabled list with a neck strain, has been away from the team while dealing with a couple of kidney stones. Crisp is semi-bedridden, taking medication and resting at home in Palm Springs.