Report: A's SP Frankie Montas could return as early as Thursday vs. Tigers

With the trade deadline approaching, Frankie Montas’ health status is of particular interest to both the Oakland Athletics and several other teams around baseball. The right-hander tossed just one inning on July 3 and hasn’t pitched since due to shoulder inflammation. 

The A’s resisted placing Montas on the 15-day injured list, and it seems as though he could return as early as Thursday, when Oakland opens the second half with a doubleheader against the Detroit Tigers.

Montas received a cortisone shot as part of his recovery, and things went “really well” during a bullpen session yesterday, A’s manager Mark Kotsay told the San Francisco Chronicle’s Matt Kawahara and other reporters. The club will continue to observe Montas over the All-Star break, but for now, it would seem like Montas is on pace to get back onto the mound. Assuming regular rest, Montas would be on pace to make at least two starts prior to the Aug. 2 deadline, though it’s also possible the Athletics could rest him if a trade is close.