As expected, the A’s will go with Zach Neal in Wednesday’s final game of the series in Seattle.
Neal, 27, will be making his first big league start in what will be his second big league game as he takes the spot in the rotation of Sonny Gray, who went on the disabled list Sunday with a strained right trapezius.
Manager Bob Melvin said the club was impressed with Neal in his May 11 appearance in relief. At that time he was being called up just to give the battered A’s bullpen some support. He wound up pitching three innings.