Sonny Gray starting for Oakland A's Monday, Felix Doubront likely Tuesday

The Oakland Athletics will start Sonny Gray for Monday evening's game against the Baltimore Orioles, manager Bob Melvin told beat reporters before Sunday's game. Felix Doubront is likely to start Tuesday, with Jesse Chavez starting Wednesday.

Gray was held out of his scheduled start last Thursday due to back spasms, but has apparently come out of throwing sessions just fine. Jesse Chavez started that game instead.

Felix Doubront moves into the A's rotation after Aaron Brooks was optioned out to Triple-A to allow the A's to call up bullpen reinforcements Pat Venditte and Dan Otero Saturday. Last Wednesday, Doubront threw 95 pitches in relief of Aaron Brooks, allowing two earned runs in 6⅓ innings. Brooks was pressed into bullpen duty on Friday, but threw only two pitches before conceding a walk off home run to Manny Machado.

Sean Doolittle on the mend

Just a quick note about Sean Doolittle:

Melvin says Doolittle hit 93 mph in rehab outing last night. "He looked like the old Sean Doolittle." At least one more rehab appearance.

— Jane Lee (@JaneMLB) August 15, 2015

Melvin says Sean Doolittle will pitch again for @nashvillesounds today.

— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) August 16, 2015

Earlier reports indicated Doolittle will return to the bullpen for the next homestand. Recent call ups Dan Otero and Pat Venditte are the likeliest candidates to be moved out for him.