OAKLAND -- A's right-hander Henderson Alvarez could easily point to the calendar and retire his glove for the year, but the rehabbing pitcher is intent on pitching before the season ends.
"The most important thing is to close off the year pitching," Alvarez said through translator Alex Arpiza on Tuesday, not long after completing his latest bullpen session.
Alvarez, who hasn't pitched in a game since undergoing shoulder surgery last July, threw 30 pitches in his latest bullpen, mixing his slider, fastball and changeup. As long as he bounces back from the outing without discomfort, Alvarez will move on to an extended bullpen session featuring two sets of 20 pitches Saturday.