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Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Rich Hill says he will not start against the Houston Astros on Sunday to be sure a minor groin strain he incurred in his last start does not get worse (via Jane Lee, MLB.com). The A's will activate Sonny Gray from the disabled list instead, Lee was first to report.
Manaea and Hahn will likely stay on turn and pitch in Milwaukee, so Hill's next start will probably be in Cincinnati.
— Jane Lee (@JaneMLB) June 4, 2016
Hill does not believe he is going on the disabled list (via Joe Stiglich, CSN), though the A's have until June 9 to backdate a stay up to 10 days.
Gray was going to make a rehab start for the Stockton Ports of five innings or 90 pitches before rejoining the A's in Cincinnati next weekend, but Hill's injury changes the calculus for the A's. The A's will probably return a reliever to Triple-A Nashville tomorrow, either J.B. Wendelken or Daniel Coulombe, to call up Gray.
Circumstances in Nashville on Friday did expand the list of potential Sunday starters who could be called up from Triple-A Nashville to include Dillon Overton. Overton was scheduled to pitch in Friday's Nashville Sounds game, but it was postponed. The left-handed Overton owns a 3.99 ERA in 56 1/3 innings with 51 strikeouts and 13 walks.
More notes coming from Bob Melvin's pre-game presser with the beat writers:
The A's are confident In Sonny's healthy. He's fine physically. Threw three bullpens in last week and also faced hitters.
— Jane Lee (@JaneMLB) June 4, 2016
Gray has faced hitters 3 times, Melvin says. Team has no concerns about physical readiness. "We're just skipping a step," Melvin says.
— Joe Stiglich (@JoeStiglichCSN) June 4, 2016
Melvin also talked to Sonny, says that Gray wants to do it. #Athletics
— Joe Stiglich (@JoeStiglichCSN) June 4, 2016
#Athletics targeting the Cincinnati series for Hill's possible return, Melvin says.
— Joe Stiglich (@JoeStiglichCSN) June 4, 2016
This story has been updated to reflect that Sonny Gray will start for the A's on Sunday.
