Sean Doolittle has enjoyed a non-newsworthy offseason, which is how the A’s closer likes it.
Last January, he made headlines when his aching shoulder left him unable to even play catch. That foretold a frustrating season that relegated Doolittle to just 12 appearances, and Oakland’s bullpen crumbled in his absence.
A year later, Doolittle says his left shoulder feels normal as he prepares for spring training, and there isn’t a better piece of news A’s officials can hear.
Say all you want about the new additions to Oakland’s bullpen – they are significant. But the primary key to the relief crew rebounding from an awful 2015 is Doolittle returning to full health and locking down the ninth inning.