Manaea, who recorded three strikeouts and allowed an earned run on four hits and three walks over 4.2 innings in a Saturday 4-1 Cactus League loss to the Mariners, came away impressed with debuting backstop Jonathan Lucroy, Jane Lee of MLB.com reports. "He's very well prepared," Manaea said, "and he definitely takes charge and controls the entire diamond. Having a guy like that, especially with the time and knowledge that he has, is huge."

EDGE Analysis

Manaea had the distinction of being the first Athletics hurler to kick the proverbial tires on Lucroy, who helped the left-hander whittle his spring ERA down to 2.53 with some savvy on-the-fly adjustments and solid overall game management. Given Jharel Cotton's season-ending elbow injury, Manaea's importance to the makeshift starting rotation increases even further. His solid spring offers reason for optimism, as do the results generated during his initial opportunity to work with his new backstop.

Manaea (1-0) allowed two earned runs on four hits over four innings in Sunday's 7-2 Cactus League win over the Cubs. He struck out two.

EDGE Analysis

The pair of blemishes on his final line came in the form of home runs, as Kyle Schwarber and Chris Gimenez went deep back-to-back in the second off a slider and first-pitch fastball, respectively, Jane Lee of MLB.com reports. Otherwise, it was another sharp outing for the lefty, who's averaging a strikeout per inning over his first two outings. Manaea doubled his workload in terms of innings over that of his first appearance as well, lending credence to the notion that the back issues that delayed his spring training debut are squarely behind him.

Manaea (back) fired two scoreless innings in Tuesday's 5-3 Cactus League win over the Rangers, allowing a hit and two walks while recording three strikeouts.

EDGE Analysis

According to a report by Jane Lee of MLB.com, Manaea was especially pleased with his slider, a pitch he allowed a paltry .174 average against last season while inducing 89 swings-and-misses. despite laboring a bit while working up to 45 pitches over his pair of frames. However, the southpaw struck out the side in the first after allowing two men on, and he finished his afternoon with two ground-ball outs to strand Ronald Guzman in the second. Manaea's outing was especially encouraging considering he'd been scratched from his start a week prior due to back tightness. "He ended up getting the swings and misses that we wanted to see, used all his pitches," A's manager Bob Melvin said. "Starting out in a good direction for him."

Manaea (back) is officially starting Tuesday's spring game against the Rangers.

EDGE Analysis

As anticipated, the southpaw will toe the rubber to start Oakland's Tuesday tilt after being scratched last week due to back tightness. It's unclear how many innings he'll log in this particular game, but it's possible that the Athletics could hold him back a bit to ensure his back doesn't flare up again. However, Manaea should be 100 percent for Opening Day barring any setbacks.

Manaea (back) is scheduled to make his Cactus League debut Tuesday against the Rangers, Jane Lee of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Manaea was able to throw a 30-to-35 pitch simulated game Wednesday without any problems. He was previously scratched from his scheduled start Tuesday with middle back tightness but there doesn't appear to be any real concern over his status as the calendar flips to March. Expect him to be at full health by Opening Day barring any setbacks.

Manaea (back) thought his simulated game went well Wednesday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 26-year-old lefty threw 30 to 35 pitches without issues. He was scratched from Tuesday's Cactus league start with back tightness but expects to take his turn in the rotation in a few days. It appears that he'll be fully recovered by the time the regular season begins.

Manaea (back) is set to toss a 40-to-45 pitch simulated game Wednesday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

This session will determine whether Manaea will be able to take the mound for his next scheduled Cactus League outing. The southpaw was scratched from Tuesday's start with middle back tightness, which appears to be just a minor setback considering he will be throwing over 40 pitches the following day.

Manaea has been removed from his start Tuesday against Cleveland with middle back tightness, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Manaea has battled minor back issues before but they rarely cause him to miss much time. He should have no problem being ready for the start of the season, though this serves as a reminder that he's always a risk to miss a few starts.

Manaea (12-10) earned the win over the Rangers on Thursday in his final start of the 2017 season. He was charged with one unearned run on three hits with six strikeouts and three walks over 6.2 innings.

EDGE Analysis

The 25-year-old lefty struggled throughout most of the second half, prompting calls for an early shutdown, but Manaea heads into the offseason on a positive note following this gem. He showed no ill effects from his recent back issue, inducing 13 swinging strikes on 90 pitches. He should come at a nice discount in fantasy drafts and auctions next spring.

Manaea (back) is good to go for Thursday's start against the Rangers.

EDGE Analysis

Manaea will make his final start of the 2017 season in Texas after missing his previous outing due to a minor back issue. The left-hander has accumulated a 4.56 ERA and 1.42 WHIP over 28 starts this season, and allowed two earned runs over five innings during his win against the Rangers in late August.