Doolittle (shoulder) had the two best days since his shoulder injury on Thursday and Friday according to manager Bob Melvin, John Hickey of the East Bay Times reports. "He's doing better; yesterday was the best day he's had," the manager said. "He hasn't progressed to the sock throws yet. Once he does that, he could start playing catch, but we're not there yet. But the last two days have been the best two days."

EDGE Analysis

The veteran lefty still has no firm timetable as Melvin's comments reveal, but matters appear to be heading in a positive direction. Doolittle had been sharing the closer's role with Santiago Casilla, but the latter has essentially been entrusted with the job on a full-time basis since the former's absence. That has produced mixed results, so Doolittle's eventual availability to neutralize left-handed hitters in high-leverage situations will certainly be a welcome one.