Athletics manager Bob Melvin said he expects Murphy (collapsed lung) to start at catcher in his Cactus League debut Thursday against the Padres, Shayna Rubin of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Earlier reports suggested that Murphy would make his first appearance of the spring Wednesday against the Royals, but the Athletics will instead give the 26-year-old an additional day to rest up before he debuts. Murphy was delayed at the start of camp while recovering from offseason surgery to address a collapsed lung, but the Athletics appear confident that he'll be ready to go for Opening Day.

Murphy (chest) is expected to make his Cactus League debut Wednesday against the Royals, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The report doesn't specify whether Murphy will catch or serve as the Athletics' designated hitter, but his expected entry into the spring lineup is an encouraging sign for his chances of being ready to go for the start of the regular season. Murphy has thus far been eased along during spring training after he required a pair of surgeries in the offseason to address a collapsed lung.

Manager Bob Melvin expects Murphy (lung) to play in a spring training game sometime this week, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 26-year-old has yet to make his spring debut after undergoing offseason surgery to address a collapsed lung, but he's been taking part in baseball activities for the past couple weeks. Murphy should have enough time to ramp up for Opening Day if he's able to see game action this week as expected.

Murphy (lung) doesn't have a timetable for his return to game action but is taking batting practice, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Murphy underwent surgery over the offseason to address a collapsed lung. He's behind the rest of his teammates this spring, but Murphy has been doing at least some baseball activities since late February, including taking batting practice against the Athletics' coaching staff since the start of this week. He's considered close to ready for game action, which should give him a chance to get up to speed by Opening Day.

Murphy (lung) was cleared to take batting practice Monday, Shayna Rubin of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Murphy's initial BP session will come against Oakland's coaching staff, but if all goes well, he could be cleared to face live pitching by the end of the week. The 26-year-old backstop is beginning to ramp up his activities following offseason surgery to address a collapsed lung, and the Athletics seemingly remain optimistic that he'll be ready to go for Opening Day.

Murphy (chest) has resumed hitting and catching, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Murphy has been slowed to begin spring training following a pair of offseason surgeries to address a collapsed lung. While manager Bob Melvin said Wednesday that Murphy still isn't ready for game action, the catcher has been progressing well in his recovery so far. The 26-year-old has said that he expects to be ready to play in time for Opening Day.

Murphy (chest) has resumed some baseball activities but hasn't yet started hitting, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Murphy underwent a pair of surgeries during the offseason to address a collapsed lung, and he's had a slight delay to spring training as a result. Assuming his recovery continues to progress smoothly, the catcher still expects to be ready in time for Opening Day.

Murphy (chest) arrived at camp Sunday to go through his physical, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Murphy's start to his spring has been slightly delayed after he went through surgery in the offseason to address a collapsed lung. Assuming he passes his physical without issues, he's expected to be ready for Opening Day, although Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle reports manager Bob Melvin noted Sunday he doesn't expect Murphy to be ready for baseball activities "for a while."

Athletics manager Bob Melvin said Wednesday that Murphy will be delayed to begin spring training after the catcher required offseason surgery to address a collapsed lung, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Though Murphy won't be in attendance for the start of workouts, Melvin said he still expects the 26-year-old to be ready to go for Opening Day. Assuming Murphy endures no setbacks in his recovery from surgery, he could take on an even heavier workload behind the dish in 2021 after the Athletics traded his top backup, Jonah Heim, to the Rangers over the winter. Murphy finished with a subpar .233 average in 140 plate appearances in 2020, but he showed above-average power (seven home runs, five doubles) and drew walks at a 17.1 percent rate.

Murphy went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Thursday's loss to the Dodgers.

EDGE Analysis

Murphy plated the Athletics' only run with a solo shot to center field in the eighth inning. The long ball was his seventh this season. Murphy has 14 RBI while slashing .234/.364/.458 on the campaign.