OAKLAND -- Right-hander Henderson Alvarez, expected to join the A's rotation sometime next month, inched even closer toward that goal Friday, throwing a two-inning simulated game at the Coliseum.
Alvarez, who underwent shoulder surgery in July, totaled 30 pitches, throwing 15 in each inning against teammates Billy Burns and Mark Canha.
"He looked really good," Burns said. "His changeup looked pretty nice, I was definitely chasing it. He was spotting up, threw me a nice 3-2 heater right on the inside black, and I barely fought it off. His fastball had really good life and a little bit of run too.