Brandon McCarthy (shoulder) will return from the disabled list to start Friday against the White Sox. McCarthy was cleared after completing a 23-pitch bullpen session Wednesday with no issues. He spun six shutout innings last week in his final rehab start and will return to a 2.54 ERA and 1.21 WHIP over 12 starts this season. McCarthy is taking the rotation spot of A.J. Griffin (shoulder).

Brandon McCarthy (shoulder) struck out nine over six scoreless innings in a rehab start with Triple-A Sacramento Saturday. That should be enough to convince the A's he's ready. McCarthy seems likely to slide into the rotation spot of A.J. Griffin, who left Saturday's start with a shoulder issue.

Brandon McCarthy (shoulder) is slated to make another rehab start Saturday with Triple-A Sacramento. That's assuming he makes it through a bullpen session Thursday without a hitch. McCarthy, out since late June with shoulder soreness, was knocked around for six runs over 3 2/3 innings during his first rehab start on Monday. He could be cleared to return if he bounces back Saturday.

Brandon McCarthy (shoulder) is expected to make another rehab start. It's no surprise after McCarthy was rocked at Triple-A Sacramento Monday for six runs on seven hits and a walk over just 3 2/3 innings. The A's will make a final decision after the righty throws a bullpen session, but it sounds like he won't be activated until sometime next week.

Brandon McCarthy (shoulder) will make a rehab start with Triple-A Sacramento Monday. McCarthy had hoped to avoid a rehab assignment, but the A's have decided it's in his best interest to knock the rust off for one start in the minors. If the outing goes well, McCarthy, who will be limited to 65 pitches, could rejoin the Oakland rotation for his next start.

Brandon McCarthy (shoulder) will throw a three-inning simulated game in Arizona on Wednesday. McCarthy is looking to avoid a rehab assignment and will instead appear in a sim game or two. A return in late July or early August for the right-hander is looking likely.

Brandon McCarthy (shoulder) is scheduled to throw another bullpen session Saturday. McCarthy felt fine after throwing 25 pitches in a bullpen session Wednesday. He'll likely advance to facing hitters if he makes it through Saturday without any issues. If he gets his wish and avoids a rehab assignment, it's possible he could rejoin the A's rotation before the end of the month.

Brandon McCarthy (shoulder) will throw a bullpen session Wednesday. Evidently the orthopedist McCarthy saw over the All-Star break saw no reason he couldn't resume a throwing program. He's hoping to throw two bullpen sessions and then throw to hitters once before rejoining the A's rotation without a rehab assignment. If all goes well, it's conceivable that the righty will be back later this month.

Brandon McCarthy (shoulder) will visit orthopedist Dr. Keith Meister over the All-Star break. McCarthy played catch Saturday with no issues for the second day in a row, and he'll now have Dr. Meister check him out to see how his shoulder is progressing. He remains without a timetable but appears to be progressing slowly but steadily.

Brandon McCarthy said Wednesday that he is open to signing a long-term contract with the A's. "It's something I'm not at all opposed to," McCarthy told the San Francisco Chronicle. "I like it here. The fans have been great with me and with (my wife) Amanda, I like the guys on the team, and I'd like to be around guys like Tommy Milone and Jarrod Parker and be part of something here." McCarthy is currently scheduled to hit the free agent market five days after the World Series.