Things are starting to look up for Oakland Athletics right-hander James Kaprielian, who’s expected to start the season on the injured list.
MLB.com reports that “After coming away from his bullpen session on March 29 feeling healthy, Kaprielian’s next bullpen on April 1 will feature hitters standing in the box to simulate at-bats. The right-hander is likely to go out on a Minor League rehab assignment once the club breaks camp for Opening Day, though a better timeline will be available after the upcoming bullpen.”
The San Francisco Chronicle’s Matt Kawahara previously reported “Kaprielian (shoulder AC joint irritation) threw a bullpen session Saturday and responded well.”
Earlier this month, A’s manager Mark Kotsay said, “We’re going to make sure he’s ready. We’re not going to rush him, give him the time that he needs and make sure he’s 100% before he gets back out and on the rubber.”
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Kaprielian, the No. 16 pick overall in the 2015 MLB Draft, was traded by the New York Yankees to Oakland in 2017 as part of the Sonny Gray trade.
Kaprielian missed all of the 2017 and 2018 seasons after having Tommy John surgery. He spent time on the injured list in 2021 with a shoulder impingement.
The 28-year-old right-hander appeared in 24 games last season, making 21 starts. He went 8-5 with a 4.07 ERA and figures to be a regular in the A’s starting rotation this year, especially after Oakland traded All-Star right-hander Chris Bassitt to the New York Mets earlier this month.
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Mike Rosenstein may be reached at mrosenstein@njadvancemedia.com.