Worth noting

• Right-hander Ryan Cook (forearm strain) has been cleared to play catch, Melvin said Tuesday.

• Another rehabbing A's reliever, Eric O'Flaherty, threw a pair of 15-pitch innings to hitters on Tuesday. He's likely to do so again in a few days, but in more of a simulated-game environment, without a protective screen.

On the mend from Tommy John surgery, O'Flaherty is nearing a rehab assignment, which would put him on track to potentially join the A's in June.