LOS ANGELES -– Pat Venditte is scheduled to pitch back-to-back games Friday and Saturday for Triple-A Nashville, a sign that the A’s ambidextrous reliever is getting close to coming off the disabled list.
Venditte threw two innings for Single-A Stockton on Tuesday, giving up a solo home run against Modesto but recording three strikeouts. Recovering from a strained right shoulder, Venditte has made three appearances for the Ports and given up two runs on three hits (4.0 innings). He’s struck out five and hasn’t allowed a walk.
A’s manager Bob Melvin acknowledged Venditte could be close to his big league return.