Bassitt may start on final homestand
A's righty to throw bullpen session Monday in Chicago
ARLINGTON -- A's right-hander Chris Bassitt, who has been sidelined by right shoulder soreness in recent weeks, will be back on a mound in Chicago on Monday to throw his first bullpen session since suffering the injury.
Manager Bob Melvin said Bassitt will throw several bullpens -- at least one of which will involve simulated game scenarios -- before making his next start for the A's.
Bassitt expects that time to come before season's end, and Melvin isn't ruling out a potential start for the right-hander during the club's next homestand, which begins Sept. 22.
"I don't foresee him pitching in a game on this road trip, but potentially when we get home," Melvin said. "Ultimately we'd like to get him back to start again, as opposed to just getting him in there pitching out of the bullpen."
Bassitt, who returns to Chicago for the first time since being traded by the White Sox in the Jeff Samardzija deal, is 1-6 in 10 starts for the A's despite posting a 2.73 ERA.
• Outfielder Billy Burns (right hamstring) was "feeling a lot better" Sunday, according to Melvin. Burns will run the bases in Chicago on Monday and potentially be available as soon as Tuesday.