OAKLAND _ Rich Hill was impressive enough in a simulated game session Wednesday morning to get within a step of being back on the active roster.
Hill, placed on the disabled list June 9 with a groin strain, threw “upwards of 50-some pitches _ maybe more” according to manager Bob Melvin. The plan is for Hill to start for the Stockton Ports Monday before being activated.
“I hope that’s the only one,” Melvin said before the A’s hosted the Milwaukee Brewers. “I’d like to throw him right in there, but we’ve got to make sure we get him in a game scenario against another team other than throwing a simulated-type thing in the bullpen.