OAKLAND -- The A's will be without their home run leader through at least Saturday, as Yonder Alonso continues to rest his sore left knee.
Alonso, who was injured when his leg stuck in the ground during an at-bat in Seattle on Wednesday night, said Thursday he "feels a lot better."
An MRI revealed no structural damage, "so we'll get him in the cage tomorrow and see how he feels," A's manager Bob Melvin said Thursday night. "It was a relief to him obviously, and to us as well. We won't start him tomorrow. Maybe a little bit later in the weekend, but good news as far as the MRI goes."
Ryon Healy started in Alonso's place at first base in the 8-3 victory and could see extended time there this series no matter Alonso's progress, with Boston starting three left-handers to close out the set.
"We're getting as much rehab as possible, a lot of treatment," said Alonso, who already has a career-high 12 home runs. "I don't think it's anything serious, so I'm hoping that, give it a few days and I'll be ready to roll."
Alonso, whose knee appeared slightly swollen, believes rest will be the best medicine.
"I want to be out there," he said. "But I've told this to everybody, I'd rather it be two days than two months."
Doolittle making progress
A's lefty Sean Doolittle, journeying through another shoulder rehab, has made significant strides in the last week. He played long toss for a third time Thursday and, come Sunday, is penciled in to throw a bullpen session from flat ground. That puts him on track to throw off a mound sometime next week.
"I feel so much better," Doolittle said. "It was really slow for a while. It kind of felt like I was spinning my wheels a little bit. I was getting a little frustrated, and I guess it was around the end of last week when I really started turning a corner and feeling a lot better, and ever since then it's been moving pretty quick."
The A's bullpen was at the center of three meltdowns in as many days in Texas last weekend, blowing three saves and getting swept by the Rangers. Doolittle could only watch from home, noting, "There were a couple instances on the trip where I really wanted to be there to try and help. It can be really tough. That's part of the mental grind of the DL."