Kazmir set to return to A's rotation on Friday

DETROIT -- Scott Kazmir, who was forced to skip one start because of left shoulder tightness, will return to the A's rotation on Friday to open a three-game series in Boston.

Kazmir threw on the side in Detroit without any issues Tuesday and "felt great," according to A's manager Bob Melvin.

The southpaw exited his start last Wednesday against the Tigers after just three innings and immediately underwent an MRI that revealed no structural damage, at which point the A's decided he only needed to miss one turn.

Monday's off-day allowed the A's to keep everyone else on normal rest without recalling a spot starter in place of Kazmir. With Kendall Graveman, Sonny Gray and Jesse Hahn starting the three games in Detroit, the A's could have pitched Jesse Chavez in Boston on Friday and pushed Kazmir to Saturday.

But this schedule allows Kazmir to miss the Angels next week, against whom he is 2-5 with a 7.56 ERA in seven career starts.