Doolittle is throwing to hitters Wednesday and may be ready for game action soon, Jane Lee of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Doolittle has been slowly working his way back from a shoulder ailment this spring and it seems he's finally ready for live game action. The left-hander posted a 3.23 ERA over 44 games in an injury-riddled 2017 season, but look for him to compete for a setup role upon his return to the mound.

Doolittle threw his first bullpen session of spring training Friday, Jane Lee of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Plagued by shoulder issues over the past two seasons, Doolittle appears to be getting back on track as spring games begin. The left-hander has shown he still has potential, posting a 3.23 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and a 45:8 K:BB ratio in 44 games last year. Barring any setbacks, expect Doolittle to compete for a setup role in the Oakland bullpen when he returns to game action.

Doolittle, who battled shoulder problems in each of the last two seasons, will soon begin throwing off a mound, Joe Stiglich of CSN Bay Area reports.

EDGE Analysis

Doolittle was limited to 52.2 innings over the 2014-15 seasons due to his injuries, amassing three wins, 11 holds and eight saves over that span. That followed a 22-save effort in 2014, a level of performance that the 30-year-old southpaw hopes to attain or exceed in the coming season. It remains to be seen if Doolittle will get the opportunity to close out games, though, as manager Bob Melvin recently commented that he remains undecided about whether he'll opt to deploy just one pitcher in that role. However, Doolittle figures to thrive as a setup man if called upon, as he remains a highly effective strikeout specialist (10.38 K/9 in 2016) with solid control (1.85 BB/9) and a fastball in the mid-90s.

Doolittle (shoulder) was activated off the 15-day disabled list Friday, Joe Stiglich of CSN California reports.

EDGE Analysis

The A's top reliever has been embattled by injuries for much of the past two years, having made just 47 appearances since the start of the 2015 campaign. He's been effective when healthy this year, notching a 2.93 ERA with a 1.04 WHIP across 35 appearances. Ryan Madson has earned the closer's role for the rest of the season in all likelihood, so expect Doolittle to serve in a setup role the rest of the way.

Doolittle (shoulder) will pitch one last rehab game Tuesday at Triple-A Nashville before being activated by the Athletics on Friday, John Hickey of the Bay Area News Group reports.

EDGE Analysis

Conveniently, this will allow the Athletics to wait for roster expansion before Doolittle makes his return to the big leagues. Expect him to pitch in a setup role down the stretch, but if he looks like his old self, Doolittle could easily put himself in the conversation for the closer's role in 2017.

Doolittle (shoulder) could rejoin the Athletics for their homestand that begins Friday against the Red Sox, MLB.com's Jane Lee reports.

EDGE Analysis

Doolittle indicated he "felt good" Saturday in what marked his fifth rehab appearance for Triple-A Nashville, and with rosters set to expand Sept. 1, it looks like the reliever is on track to rejoin the big club in short order. Though the Athletics have a fairly unstable closing situation, it doesn't seem likely that Doolittle will be a candidate to challenge for ninth-inning duties right away, given that shoulder soreness has kept him on the DL since late June.

Doolittle (shoulder) will remain with Triple-A Nashville for another rehab outing, MLB.com's Jane Lee reports.

EDGE Analysis

Doolittle was originally supposed to rejoin the A's this week, but according to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle, he's not quite comfortable with the way the ball is coming out of his hand. The plan is now for Doolittle to rest a day or two before taking the hill once again in the minors. If he's able to tune up those mechanics, he should be able to join the team at some point during an upcoming six-game road trip.

Doolittle (shoulder) will look to join Oakland next week after playing another rehab game, Jane Lee of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Doolittle has pitched two shutout innings across two games on his rehab assignment at Triple-A Nashville. Oakland's tentative plan is for him to rejoin the club during their upcoming series against the Indians, which begins Monday. Before getting hurt, Doolittle had been putting up phenomenal numbers that included a 10.3 K/9, 2.93 ERA, and 1.04 WHIP.

Doolittle will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Nashville on Monday, Jane Lee of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The A's have circled Aug. 22 for Doolittle's return, if he makes it through three rehab appearances unscathed. He will have missed almost two months at that point, but Doolittle was pitching well before suffering the injury (2.93 ERA, 1.04 WHIP) and figures to return to a prominent back-end role upon activation.

Doolittle (shoulder) could start his rehab assignment next week if his throwing session Thursday goes as scheduled, John Hickey of the Bay Area News Group reports.

EDGE Analysis

Doolittle could begin to face hitters after throwing again Thursday, after sitting out over a month with shoulder soreness. The left-hander tossed a 25-pitch bullpen session Saturday and said the session went well and he "feels great." Barring a setback during the rest of the week, Doolittle will begin his rehab assignment next week and return to the club shortly after.