Lowrie receives award

On a team packed with young players — the A’s have used 20 rookies this year — 33-year-old second baseman Jed Lowrie won the Catfish Hunter Award as the most inspirational player.

“From Day 1 of spring training, he’s shown great leadership qualities,” shortstop Marcus Semien said. “He helped not only me but a lot of these young guys transition from the minor leagues and teach what you have to do to stay in the big leagues.”

The award is presented annually to the player whose performance and conduct best exemplify the spirit of Hunter, the late Hall of Fame pitcher. Players, coaches and staff members vote for the award.

Each of the previous three seasons, the award went to Stephen Vogt.

“Anytime you win an award that’s associated with a Hall of Famer, especially a guy who has meant as much to this organization as anybody else, it’s a really cool honor,” said Lowrie, who received the award before Monday night’s game.

“I learned so much as a young player by watching others, and I know what kind of impression that made on me. I know the way the game should be approached and how you need to prepare yourself. If that makes an impression on younger guys; that’s what this game is all about.”

As a young player, Lowrie said, he learned from Boston teammates Mike Lowell, Jason Varitek and Dustin Pedroia. Briefly: Jharel Cotton has been shut down and won’t pitch in another game, though he’ll throw an extended side session this weekend in Texas. An MRI exam on Cotton’s elbow was clean, but the A’s preferred to exercise caution in the final week. The righthander finished his season 9-10 with a 5.58 ERA. He won his final two starts, surrendering three earned runs in 10 innings. … Five games remain, and the final turn of the rotation will go like this: Kendall Graveman on Wednesday, Sean Manaea on Thursday, Raul Alcantara on Friday, Daniel Gossett on Saturday and Daniel Mengden on Sunday.