Kazmir to face Rangers as A's shuffle rotation

OAKLAND -- A's manager Bob Melvin announced some tweaks to his starting rotation on Tuesday before the series opener against the Angels.

While confirming Jesse Hahn will return to the mound on Wednesday after missing his last start with a blister, Melvin also pushed Scott Kazmir back one day to Friday while giving Jesse Chavez the start in Thursday's finale with the Angels.

"Any time we can give [Kazmir] an extra day we're going to do it," Melvin said.

Pushing Kazmir back means he'll face the Rangers on six days' rest. Meanwhile, Chavez is set to make his first start since claiming the rotation spot vacated by Kendall Graveman, who was optioned to Triple-A Nashville after struggling on Saturday.

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

It will actually mark Chavez's second start of the year, as he filled in for Hahn on April 23 while he nursed the blister on his right middle finger. Hahn said he threw all of his pitches in a bullpen at 100 percent on Sunday without any setbacks and that he hopes to have no adjustments going forward.

"This past week or two, it gave me a chance to heal," Hahn said. "If I would have made that last start -- which I wanted to, but it was a smart decision not to -- I would have had a chance of re-opening it and possibly being on the DL for something so small and stupid. I think it was smart to rest that start and let this thing heal up so we don't have to keep dealing with it."

Worth noting

Right-hander A.J. Griffin, who underwent Tommy John surgery on April 30, 2014, was in good spirits in the clubhouse on Tuesday. Griffin threw 2 1/3 innings in a simulated game on Monday in Arizona, where he has spent the past few weeks for extended spring. Griffin said he will pitch in front of Oakland's front office and training staff on Wednesday before flying back to Arizona.

"We're just taking it one day at a time right now, barring any setbacks," Griffin said.