Nolin to make A's debut on Sunday vs. Mariners

OAKLAND -- Left-hander Sean Nolin will make his debut with the A's with a start on Sunday following his callup from Triple-A Nashville on Friday.

Nolin, part of the trade that also brought Brett Lawrie and Kendall Graveman to Oakland, worked himself back from bilateral core surgery and will make his first big league start in two years and his second overall. He appeared in relief for the Toronto Blue Jays in a game last September.

"In Spring Training we didn't get to see him other than throw some bullpens, based on the fact he was injured and has had some bouts this season with injuries," Athletics manager Bob Melvin said. "It will be nice to get a first-hand look at him and get him out on the mound against obviously a tough opponent offensively."

Nolin, the A's No. 12 prospect, has been limited to 2 1/3 innings in two games in the Majors, and has an ERA of 27.00. He owns a 29-19 record and 3.49 ERA in six Minor League seasons and was solid in his last rehab start, allowing one hit in 4 2/3 innings with the Nashville Sounds, striking out six. He retired the first 12 batters he faced.

"I know he's probably pretty eager to get out here and get a chance to prove why he was in the trade," Melvin said.

Worth noting

• Stephen Vogt was scratched from the starting lineup about 90 minutes before game time with soreness in his right elbow. He pinch-hit for Josh Phegley in the seventh inning of Friday night's game and knocked a single up the middle.

• With Danny Valencia looking sharp at third base, the A's could be thinking of using Lawrie at second base next year.

"To watch him right now, you'd think he's a natural second baseman," Melvin said. "He's here for a reason. Again, third base is a position he can still play very well, and the way we do things, versatility helps you get out there a little more often, but we like what both of these guys can do."