OAKLAND -- The A's are close to getting a key piece to their patchwork starting rotation back, after left-hander Brett Anderson made it through three innings in a simulated game on Saturday.
Anderson, out since Aug. 28 with a strained left forearm, threw 15 pitches in each inning and came out of it feeling fine. That's an important step both for Oakland and Anderson, who missed a month earlier this season with a strain in his pitching shoulder.
"He had had three up and downs of 15 pitches in the bullpen," A's manager Bob Melvin said.