Oakland closer Andrew Bailey hasn’t appeared in a major league game yet this season because of a righty forearm injury. He took a step toward changing that yesterday on the road with the A’s.
According to John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle, the right-hander threw 30 pitches -- including breaking balls -- to Daric Barton and Kevin Kouzmanoff on Saturday afternoon in Kansas City and is expected to begin tossing simulated games early this week.
If all goes well, Bailey could start making relief appearances in minor league rehab games in less than 10 days.
The 26-year-old right-hander finished with a 1.47 ERA and 0.96 WHIP over 49 innings last season and saved 25 games. He tallied 26 saves against a 1.84 ERA as a rookie in 2009.