Athletics manager Bob Melvin was "encouraged" by Brandon McCarthy's bullpen session Thursday. McCarthy had a start pushed back earlier this week due to soreness in his pitching shoulder. He is scheduled to be reevaluated Friday, but the current plan calls for him to start Saturday against the Tigers.

Brandon McCarthy (shoulder) played catch without any issues Wednesday. It's a good sign, and if he's able to get through a bullpen session Thursday, he'll be cleared to start on Saturday. McCarthy had his most recent start pushed back due to some soreness in his pitching shoulder.

Brandon McCarthy doesn't think his shoulder is that bad and considers the extra rest before his next start precautionary. The right-hander felt soreness following his last outing but said it's not nearly as bad as it was last year when he had to go on the DL. McCarthy has had a history of shoulder issues, so this can't be taken lightly, but it does sound as though he has a good shot to take the ball on Saturday. We'll know for sure after Thursday's bullpen session.

Brandon McCarthy's next start will be pushed back due to a sore shoulder. It's possible he could be ready to start Saturday, but it will depend on how he feels during a bullpen session Thursday. McCarthy has a history of shoulder issues, so it's an obvious concern, but at this point the A's don't seem overly worried. Tyson Ross will move up to start Wednesday.

Brandon McCarthy will move back a day in the rotation to start Wednesday against the Blue Jays. McCarthy was originally scheduled to start Tuesday, but now rookie Jarrod Parker will get the nod. No word on the reason for the change, but it's likely that the A's just wanted Parker to stay on normal rest.

Brandon McCarthy pitched very well against the Orioles on Friday, allowing just two runs on five hits in his seven innings of work. He struck out four and walked three on the evening. The win is McCarthy's first of the season, and he now sits at 1-3 with a solid 3.23 ERA. He'll look to carry over the momentum from this fine outing when he faces the Red Sox at Fenway next week.

Brandon McCarthy pitched six innings of two-run ball Wednesday in a no-decision against the Royals. McCarthy has taken advantage of a kind early-season schedule to post a 2.50 ERA in three starts. With a 10/6 K/BB ratio, it doesn't seem like he's even really hit his stride yet. Last year, he had a 123/25 K/BB ratio in 25 starts.

Brandon McCarthy allowed just one run over seven innings as part of a no-decision in the season opener against the Mariners on Wednesday. McCarthy picked up from where he left off last season, scattering six hits (including a home run by Dustin Ackley) while striking out three and walking none. He threw 58 out of 82 pitches for strikes while inducing 12 ground ball outs. The 28-year-old right-hander should be a very useful option in mixed leagues this season, even though the A's don't figure to score many runs for him.

Brandon McCarthy wasn't sharp against a split-squad Cubs lineup Tuesday, allowing four runs -- two earned -- on five hits and three walks over four innings of work. He struck out one. It's not the outing McCarthy was hoping for in his final tuneup before Japan, but he has an excuse, as he was apparently dealing with a fingernail issue. He'll have to go to a salon to have a fake one put on and should be fine for his first regular season start next week.

Brandon McCarthy was stretched out in his second start of the spring Friday, striking out three while allowing two runs on four hits in 4 2/3 innings of Oakland's 6-4 win over the Rockies. Oakland's Opening Day starter is now sporting a 4.70 ERA through his first 7 2/3 Cactus League frames. No matter how his spring goes, McCarthy is worth a late-round pick in all but the shallowest of mixed leagues.