Manaea (shoulder) felt strong during Thursday's 60-pitch simulated game, and he could embark on a rehab assignment within the next week, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Manaea fared well in his sim game, so it wouldn't be surprising to see the southpaw head out on a rehab stint shortly. He's been on the injured list since the beginning of the 2019 season after undergoing shoulder surgery in September of 2018, so he'll likely require a lengthy stay in the minor leagues before being activated.

Manaea (shoulder) will throw in a simulated game Thursday at the team's minor-league complex in Arizona, the final step before a rehab assignment, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Manager Bob Melvin indicated that Manaea would throw 60-65 pitches Thursday, which should serve as a strong litmus test for his readiness to embark on a rehab assignment. If the remainder of the southpaw's recovery goes off without a hitch, he could be ready to return right after the All-Star break.

Manager Bob Melvin said Sunday that Manaea (shoulder) would pitch in one more simulated game at extended spring training before beginning a minor-league rehab assignment, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports

EDGE Analysis

Per Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle, Manaea relayed that he felt "great" while throwing "a lot of strikes" during 45-pitch simulated game Saturday. With Manaea reporting no renewed discomfort in his surgically repaired throwing shoulder a day later, he'll test himself against hitters in Arizona once more, likely covering around 60 pitches. The Athletics had been targeting late July or early August for Manaea's return to the big club, but based on where he's currently at in his recovery, there seems to be growing optimism the 26-year-old could be ready to go shortly after the All-Star break in mid-July.

Manaea (shoulder) is scheduled to throw in a simulated game at the team's minor-league facility in Arizona on Saturday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The sim game will be yet another pivotal step in the recovery process for Manaea, who most recently threw a successful batting practice session. If all goes off without a hitch Saturday, Manaea could be ready to embark on a minor-league rehab assignment, although manager Bob Melvin also left open the possibility that the southpaw logs at least one more sim game.

Manaea (shoulder) threw a successful 15-pitch batting practice session Tuesday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Manaea reportedly came away feeling very satisfied with the live session at High-A Stockton, the latest benchmark in his recovery. The rehabbing southpaw is expected to throw another live batting practice later in the week and up his pitch count in the process.

Manaea (shoulder) will throw a live batting practice session Tuesday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Reports last week suggested that Manaea would throw a live batting practice session in the first week of June, and he remains on that schedule. He's making steady progress in his return from September shoulder surgery but is not expected to be back in action until after the All-Star break.

Manaea (shoulder) threw a 40-pitch bullpen session with increased intensity Wednesday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Manaea has been out since last August with a shoulder injury which eventually required surgery. He's working his way towards a rehab assignment but is expected to throw at least one more bullpen session first.

Manaea (shoulder) said Sunday that he plans to face hitters in live batting practice in the first week of June, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Before doing so, Manaea will throw two more bullpen sessions. The first of those will come Wednesday, when he'll incorporate his slider after his prior sessions consisted entirely of fastballs. Based on where the lefty currently stands in his recovery from shoulder surgery, he'll likely be a rotation option for the Athletics at some point in late July or August.

Manaea has completed three bullpen sessions at extended spring training and has thus far avoided any setbacks in his recovery from left shoulder surgery, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Perhaps more encouraging than Manaea's lack of setbacks is the fact that his fastball velocity has been sitting in low 90s, roughly on par with where it was before he was shut down with the shoulder issue last August. Even if his velocity holds steady when he ultimately goes on a minor-league rehab assignment later this summer, Manaea will need to prove he can locate his changeup effectively before the Athletics consider bringing him back from the 60-day injured list. He's tentatively trending toward a return to the Athletics at some point in August or September.

Manaea (shoulder) threw a 20-pitch bullpen session Tuesday, his first since last September's surgery, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Manager Bob Melvin remarked that Manaea's session consisted solely of fastballs and went off without a hitch. It's an encouraging first step in what's expected to be a relatively extensive rehab process for the southpaw, and he'll likely repeat the process at some point toward the end of the week.