If the last four days have proved anything – and they may not have – it’s that the A’s are likely to need Henderson Alvarez to get healthy and into and Oakland uniform sooner rather than later.
When Chris Bassitt gave up four runs in the first inning, two of them coming on bases-loaded walks, A’s starting pitchers had allowed 39 runs to score in 27 innings in three-plus games. That’s a clear suggestion that the need for Alvarez this spring is greater than ever.
So it was good news for the A’s Saturday when Oakland’s medical crew gave clearance for Alvarez to throw 40 pitches in a bullpen session as he rebuilds his strength from shoulder surgery last July.