KANSAS CITY -- A's right-hander Sonny Gray progressed to facing hitters on Thursday, feeling good enough doing so to get the green light for a three-inning outing in extended spring next week.
Gray, who is rehabbing a right lat strain, is expected to get up to 45-50 pitches in Arizona on Monday. Barring any setbacks, he could begin a Minor League rehab assignment soon after.
The A's are targeting the end of April, or the beginning of May, for Gray's return to the rotation. By that point, he should be built up to at least 90 pitches, just as he typically would when exiting Spring Training healthy.