Kaprielian allowed five runs on seven hits and two walks over five frames during Monday's loss to Cleveland. He struck out five and did not factor in the decision.

EDGE Analysis

Kaprielian was actually in line for the win before Oakland's bullpen fell apart late. The 29-year-old righty gave up two runs in the first inning followed by three in the fourth, including Josh Naylor's solo shot. Kaprielian tossed 61 of 89 pitches for strikes, including 12 whiffs. Last season, he forced 12 or more swinging strikes in five of his 26 starts. He's lined up to start in Tampa Bay this weekend.

Kaprielian has clinched a spot in the Athletics' Opening Day rotation and is likely to make his first start during the team's second series of the season next week versus the Guardians in Oakland, Ben Ross of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Manager Mark Kotsay has already confirmed that Kyle Muller will get the Opening Day start Thursday versus the Angels, while Shintaro Fujinami and Ken Waldichuk have been confirmed to start the final two games of the series Saturday and Sunday, respectively. That leaves Kaprielian in line to face the Guardians either Monday or Tuesday, with the yet-to-named winner of the competition for the fifth's starter role -- either JP Sears or Adam Oller -- getting the nod for the other day. Kaprielian was brought along somewhat slowly in camp after he underwent a non-invasive procedure on the AC joint of his right shoulder back in October, but he ended up making four Cactus League starts and built up to 5.1 innings and 88 pitches in his final outing Monday. He shouldn't face any restrictions once the season gets underway.

Kaprielian (shoulder) is starting Sunday's Cactus League game against the Padres.

EDGE Analysis

Kaprielian pitched well during a simulated game last week and will make his spring debut Sunday as he reaches the end of his recovery from October shoulder surgery. Assuming there's no setbacks Sunday, the 29-year-old will be on track to be ready for the start of the season after he posted a 4.23 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 98:59 K:BB over 134 innings during 2022.

Kaprielian (shoulder) will make his Cactus League debut Sunday against San Diego, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

After impressing during a sim game Tuesday without feeling any pain in his shoulder, Kaprielian's return to Cactus League action is another good sign that he will be ready for the start of the season. The 29-year-old righty finished last year with a 4.23 ERA and 1.34 WHIP through 134 innings across 26 starts.

Kaprielian (shoulder) threw a three-inning simulated game Tuesday and didn't experience any issues during his 45-pitch outing, the Athletics' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

That's two successful sim games for Kaprielian since Thursday, with manager Mark Kotsay noting the right-hander "threw well" and "looked great" during Tuesday's session. The Athletics skipper alluded to a Cactus League appearance potentially being the next step for Kaprielian but added that how the hurler felt Wednesday would go a long way toward determining that.

Kaprielian (shoulder) said he "likes the way things are coming along" after throwing a two-inning simulated game Thursday, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 29-year-old reliever threw roughly 30 pitches and reportedly felt good afterwards. Coming off having surgery done on his throwing shoulder in November, Kaprielian says he's doing everything in his power to be ready to go by Opening Day.

Kaprielian (shoulder) is set to throw a two-inning simulated game Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

The recovering right-hander threw a successful live batting practice Sunday as he continues to work his way back from November shoulder surgery. The simulated game is another important step in a quest to make the season-opening starting rotation, one manager Mark Kotsay still feels Kaprielian can pull off if he doesn't experience any setbacks.

Kaprielian (shoulder) threw live batting practice Sunday, and manager Mark Kotsay said he believes there's enough time for the right-hander to be built up enough to make the Opening Day rotation, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 28-year-old is coming off shoulder surgery in October but has a strong chance to be ready for Opening Day given he's already facing live batters. Kaprielian should continue ramping up his throwing program before progressing to game action.

Kaprielian (shoulder) will throw a live batting practice Sunday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kaprielian has a long injury history, most recently undergoing shoulder surgery in October. He appears to be trending in the right direction and has time to be ready by Opening Day if all goes well. He's expected to throw at least two live batting practice sessions before pitching in the Cactus League.

Kaprielian (shoulder) threw off the mound three times before camp opened up and said last week that he hopes to be ready for the start of the season, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kaprielian said his October procedure was "pretty non-invasive" and the shoulder is "coming along." Assuming he is on track for the start of the season, he should have a spot in Oakland's rotation. Kaprielian has a 4.16 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 221 strikeouts in 253.1 innings over the past two seasons.