Doolittle (shoulder) threw a 25-pitch bullpen session Saturday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Doolittle has been out the past month dealing with shoulder soreness but resumed throwing several weeks ago and has now pitched off a mound. The relief man commented that the session went extremely well and he "feels great". Following the positive news, it shouldn't be long before the 29-year-old sets out on a rehab assignment.

Doolittle (shoulder) is in line to toss a bullpen session this weekend, John Hickey of the Bay Area News Group reports.

EDGE Analysis

Doolittle recently began throwing from 90 feet last week, and has progressed to the point that he will throw a bullpen this weekend. The left-hander is still a couple weeks away from a return and will need to go on a rehab assignment in the near future before returning to Oakland, barring any setbacks in the bullpen session.

Doolittle (shoulder) was able to throw from 90 feet Saturday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

A's manager Bob Melvin labeled Doolittle's activity as his "best day yet" of the rehab process, suggesting the lefty might soon be cleared to toss a bullpen session. He's been sidelined since late June with the strained shoulder and probably shouldn't be expected to return until mid-August, at the earliest.

Doolittle (shoulder) played catch from 75 feet Tuesday and will increase to 90 feet in his next session, CSN California's Joe Stiglich reports.

EDGE Analysis

It was originally reported that Doolittle only did "sock throws" Tuesday, but apparently he is a bit further along. It is unclear when Doolittle will progress to throwing from 90 feet, but he could then progress to bullpen sessions and a rehab assignment at some point in August.

Doolittle (shoulder) has started doing "sock throws," Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

The A's rehab plan proved optimistic, as Doolittle remains shut down from actual throwing now close to a month after he was placed on the DL. Sock throws -- simulated throws with a sock taped over the hand and baseball -- are typically the last step before a player resumes playing catch, but mid-August is looking like a best-case scenario for Doolittle. He has posted a 2.93 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, four saves and 35:8 K:BB in 30.2 innings so far this season.

Doolittle (shoulder) could start throwing next week, the San Francisco Chronicle's Susan Slusser reports.

EDGE Analysis

Once he starts throwing, it won't take long before he is ready to rejoin the big league club. He could head out on a brief rehab assignment and be back before the end of the month if everything goes according to plan. Ryan Madson retains a hold on the closer's role, although Doolittle had outpitched him prior to the injury. If he returns to form, he could notch a handful of saves before the end of the season if Madson falters.

Doolittle's MRI showed inflammation in the front of his shoulder and "subtle changes" in his labrum, reports Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle.

EDGE Analysis

This is concerning news for Doolittle and the A's considering that he missed almost all of 2015 with left shoulder issues. Doolittle indicated that the A's trainers were optimistic and that the injury can be treated with rest and treatment. There is no specific timetable for his return, but one would assume the A's will be quite cautious about getting Doolittle right considering how last year went and the fact that they are currently nine games under .500 on the season.

Doolittle (shoulder) was placed on the DL Thursday with left shoulder soreness.

EDGE Analysis

Following Tuesday's game where the Giants put eight runs on the board by the sixth inning, Doolittle was noticeably unavailable out of the bullpen. On two-days rest, Doolittle would normally be good to go, but it turns out that shoulder soreness kept him from seeing mound time in that game. The 29-year-old was sidelined for much of the 2015 season with a shoulder injury but he claims that this one is not as serious and is actually in a different spot. Pending any unexpected negative news, Doolittle should have a normal 15-day stay on the DL and return early after the All-Star break.

Doolittle gave up a two-run homer in the ninth inning Thursday against the Angels, but still recorded his fourth save.

EDGE Analysis

Ryan Madson pitched the eighth inning in this one while Doolittle was tasked with the ninth, but predicting the way this role will break out has proven awfully difficult -- after all, Doolittle pitched the seventh in his last appearance. Although Madson's blown three saves, he still hasn't given the A's much to complain about on the whole, so it doesn't seem likely that Doolittle is actually making inroads on the ninth-inning role. Of course, there's quite a lot of uncertainty here.

Doolittle pitched a scoreless inning with one strikeout Sunday against the Tigers.

EDGE Analysis

The 29-year-old lefty picked up his third save in four opportunities, his first one since April 20. Doolittle hasn't allowed hits in three of his last four outings, and he will remain as a late-inning option as long as he maintains this level of consistency.