Parker likely won't pitch again this season

OAKLAND -- Right-hander Jarrod Parker doesn't expect to return to the A's this season as he recovers from elbow surgery.

Parker had successful surgery May 19 to clean up and repair the medial epicondyle fracture in his right elbow. He had Tommy John surgery twice before the most recent surgery, and now his main focus is on rehabbing and keeping a positive attitude.

"It's all kind of surreal at this point," Parker said. "I'm still stomaching it and digesting it."

Parker was expected to return to the A's in late May before suffering the injury in a start with Triple-A Nashville on May 8. He missed the entire 2014 season following his second Tommy John surgery after going 25-16 with a 3.73 ERA in his two prior seasons with Oakland.

When he first suffered the fracture, he received immediate support from teammates, friends and family. While his situation is rare, and he faced what he called "one of the most painful things," Parker reminds himself that many people have it worse than he does.

"It's kind of how I am," Parker said. "I don't put too much into it. I don't ride the rollercoaster. That's when you can really get caught up in feeling sorry for yourself."

Instead, Parker waits. He'll be around the A's clubhouse while rehabbing in both Oakland and Arizona in the coming months. He simply has to let the elbow heal, do some cardio and remain patient.

He watched Wright State -- where his brother, Justin, is an assistant coach -- in the NCAA Regionals a few weeks ago and went home to Fort Wayne, Indiana, before and after the surgery.

"It is remarkable," A's manager Bob Melvin said. "These things are demoralizing. He's still at a young age, and he's had quite a history at the big league level for a guy that's as young as he is."

But it's nothing Parker, 26, isn't used to at this point. If anything, he takes the fact that he avoided a third Tommy John surgery as a positive.

"It's just like being a starter," Parker said. "You've got to forget about it and move on. It's what we do."

Worth noting

• A sore left wrist kept second baseman Eric Sogard out of the starting lineup when the A's faced the Rangers on Wednesday. He suffered the injury while diving for a Shin-Soo Choo grounder in the first inning of Oakland's 2-1 loss to Texas on Tuesday. Melvin said Sogard could play defense Wednesday if he had to, but Sogard can't swing the bat at 100 percent.

"He's feeling it a little bit, so we'll give him tonight off and see how he is tomorrow," Melvin said. "I do need to get Sammy [Fuld] in there, too."

• First baseman Ike Davis (quad) ran the bases before the game Wednesday and will likely start a rehab assignment Saturday or Sunday.

• Right-hander Edward Mujica (thumb) threw a flat ground session Wednesday and will throw a bullpen session Thursday. He may make his first rehab appearance a few days after that.