KANSAS CITY — The A’s bullpen has performed well this season, but the overworked group could use the help of another starter who can pitch deep into games. Help seems to be on the horizon.
Paul Blackburn made a rehab appearance with Single-A Stockton Thursday, allowing three runs on eight hits with a walk and a strikeout in 3 2/3 innings of work. It’s not a pretty stat line, but for a pitcher like Blackburn who made his first appearance in an actual game since going down with a forearm injury near the end of spring, just seeing the right-hander throw strikes and get outs was a positive sign.