Venditte pleased with latest throwing session

OAKLAND -- A's switch-pitcher Pat Venditte threw with both arms Monday for the first time since going on the disabled list with a strained right shoulder June 12.

Venditte said he felt "pain free" after 80 throws -- 20 from 60 feet with each arm and 20 from 75 feet with each arm.

"From a mental perspective, it's very encouraging and where I wanted to be after doing the rehab process and seeing where we were," Venditte said. "I'm happy with it."

Venditte threw 20 times from 60 feet with his right arm Saturday, but he upped the workload Monday morning.

He said he still doesn't have a timetable for when he'll return, because he has to continue playing catch, throw off a mound and complete bullpen sessions. Despite the long haul ahead, Venditte is optimistic.

"There was no pain, not like there was a couple weeks ago," he said.

• Right-hander Taylor Thompson, who is on the 60-day DL with a right shoulder strain, threw a 35-pitch bullpen session Monday.

Thompson mixed in fastballs and splitters, tossing 20 pitches, taking a break and then throwing 15 more.

A's manager Bob Melvin said Thompson threw the ball well and is relatively close to facing hitters.

• Josh Reddick hit in the cleanup spot and started in right field Monday, a day after fouling a ball off his shin in the third inning of the A's 5-3 loss to the Royals.

He wore a hitters' guard on his right leg, and said he'll continue monitoring his shin going forward.

"If I could play through it yesterday, I can play through it from now on," Reddick said.