Doolittle (shoulder) is ready to embark on a rehab assignment after completing a 25-pitch bullpen session Wednesday, John Hickey of the East Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

The left-hander said that he's "really ready to go" after the session, so it seems like he's on the verge of returning to the Athletics' bullpen. No word has come forth as to the whereabouts or length of his rehab assignment, but more information should come forth soon.

Doolittle (shoulder) threw a flat-ground session followed by a 15-pitch session off the mound Sunday, Joe Stiglich of NBC Sports California reports. He's scheduled for a 25-pitch session Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Doolittle continues to slowly work his way back from the shoulder strain he sustained in early May. Sunday marked the first time he was able to toss from a mound since landing on the disabled list, so it seems he's making solid progress. A timetable for his return still has not been established.

Doolittle (shoulder) threw off flat ground Friday and plans to throw off a mound sometime next week, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

It's a major step in what has become a long recovery process for Doolittle and serves as a key indication for how his rehab will proceed. The veteran reliever isn't expected to return to the Oakland bullpen until June at the earliest, though these upcoming weeks will provide a firmer timetable as to when he can return to regular action. Upon his activation, Doolittle will aim to return to a setup man role, where he compiled a 3.52 ERA and five holds through nine appearances before his injury.

Doolittle (shoulder) hopes to throw on flat ground over the weekend and return to the mound next week, Joe Stiglich of NBC Sports California reports.

EDGE Analysis

It's taken a while for the southpaw to make progress in his rehab, but he seems to be ramping things up at a nice pace now that he's on track. If all goes well with these outings, he should be ready for a rehab assignment, although a firmer timetable for his return should emerge once he actually gets back to throwing.

Doolittle (shoulder) is making sock throws and has finally progressed in his rehabilitation, Jane Lee of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Should Doolittle's shoulder respond well to the sock throws, he'll move onto the real thing and then onto a rehab assignment. At this point, he still isn't expected to return to Oakland until early June. Things will be touch and go until Doolittle proves his shoulder can handle game action, but if he comes back with the same kind of heat he showed when healthy (94.4 mph average fastball), he'll have a chance to work his way into save opportunities with the Athletics.

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.

Doolittle's MRI revealed no structural damage to his shoulder, Jane Lee of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

It's obviously great news for Doolittle, but the lefty remains shut down entirely and there is no timetable for him to resume throwing. While Doolittle said he can already feel some improvement, there is still some muscular soreness and discomfort, and he'll need that to subside before he gets the green light to pick up a baseball again.

Doolittle, who was placed on the 10-day DL Wednesday with a left shoulder strain, also has discomfort in his his pecs and biceps and was sent for an MRI, the Bay Area News Group's John Hickey reports.

EDGE Analysis

He missed 59 games last year with a similar injury and 121 games in 2015 with two different shoulder issues, and this seems like more of the same. He should be considered out indefinitely, and it would not be surprising if he did not return until after the All-Star break. Stay tuned for word of his MRI results for a more firm timetable. Santiago Casilla will likely serve as the primary closer for the foreseeable future.

Doolittle was placed on the 10-day DL on Wednesday with a left shoulder strain.

EDGE Analysis

He missed 59 games last year with a similar injury and 121 games in 2015 with two different shoulder issues, the Bay Area News Group's John Hickey reports. With this in mind, it would be wise to expect Doolittle to miss significant time with this latest shoulder ailment. Doolittle had been serving as Oakland's closer against left-handed hitters, so Santiago Casilla's stock will see a bit of a bump, assuming he takes over the full-time role.

Doolittle notched his fifth hold of the season in Saturday's 2-1 win over the Astros despite giving up a solo home run to Jose Altuve over two-thirds of an inning.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran southpaw made things more interesting by surrendering Altuve's 344-foot laser to left in the eighth with two outs. However, Doolittle recovered by getting Carlos Correa to close out the frame, notching his fourth hold in the last five appearances. The long ball was the second that the 30-year-old has given up in nine appearances this season, but he boasts a sparkling 11:1 K:BB over 7.2 innings.