A’s reliever R.J. Alvarez slims down, improves delivery, adds pitch
The right-handed reliever was obtained in the Derek Norris deal with San Diego after the 2014 season and he was on the Opening Night roster, but he put up a 9.90 ERA in four stints with the A’s.
Manager Bob Melvin named Alvarez and Sonny Gray as two pitchers who stood out in Tuesday’s bullpen sessions.
Aaron Brooks, whose first four outings with Oakland last season were terrific after coming from Kansas City in the Ben Zobrist deal, is in line to start the A’s Cactus League opener March 3 against the Angels in Tempe.
[...] top prospect Sean Manaea is scheduled to start the A’s Cactus League home opener March 4 against Arizona.
Stephen Vogt, who had surgery to clean up elbow chips Jan. 29, started throwing and all went well, Melvin said. …
Starter Jesse Hahn, who missed the second half last season with a forearm strain, is on a one-day-on, two-days-off bullpen schedule, like fellow right-hander Jarrod Parker. …
Catcher Bruce Maxwell will leave the team for several days in March for a World Baseball Classic qualifier in Mexicali, Mexico.