Trade talk taken in stride

HOUSTON — Many teams have had scouts at the A’s recent series — add the Texas Rangers to a list that includes the Cubs, Red Sox, Blue Jays, Braves and Astros — and along with starter Sonny Gray, infielder Jed Lowrie, first baseman Yonder Alonso and several relievers are under scrutiny. Lowrie, who went 1-for-4 with a walk Thursday and is batting .287, has been traded a bunch between seasons, including back and forth between the A’s and Astros, but, he said, “I’ve been rumored in-season before but it’s never happened. I’m just trying to do what I do. It’s too easy to get caught up in what every other team needs or wants. There are a lot of conversations behind closed doors we’ll never know about, so I’m not going to lose any sleep over it.”

Oakland is looking to move Lowrie to open up a full-time spot for Franklin Barreto, who will go back to Triple-A Nashville at least briefly when

Marcus Semien returns as the shortstop in another week or so. Semien went 0-for-3 with a sacrifice fly Thursday for Class AStockton.

Relievers Ryan Madson and Sean Doolittle are drawing interest. Although there are some concerns about Doolittle’s durability, he’s pitching as well as he ever has — left-handers are 0-for-16 with nine strikeouts against him — and Madson has been healthy and reliable and has lots of postseason experience.

Madson hasn’t allowed a run in 13 of his past 15 games and right-handers are batting .197 against him. “He’s been fantastic for us, he really has, in any number of roles,” manager Bob

Melvin said. Madson signed his first pro contract in 1998 and has never been traded. “”I’m really not concerned, to be honest with you,” he said. “I’m not concerned about it at all.”

Alonso was not available Thursday after banging a foul ball off his right knee the night before.

Briefly: Jharel Cotton (blister) said he was feeling good after his bullpen session Wednesday. He is being targeted to start Saturday . ... Melvin said it’s possible that Chris Bassitt, who is coming back from Tommy John surgery, will throw another one-inning stint his next time out.