Cahill looking to reclaim spot in rotation

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Trevor Cahill first became a member of the A’s at the age of 18, in 2006.

Now, at 30, Cahill is back, and if he winds up in the rotation, as he hopes, Cahill will be the team’s oldest starter. And he’s glad to be back with his original club and his former manager, Bob Melvin.

“I thought I was going to be here a lot longer when the trade happened,” said Cahill, who went to Arizona along with Craig Breslow in 2011 in exchange for Jarrod Parker, Ryan Cook and Collin Cowgill. “I loved playing for Bob, I loved my whole experience in Oakland. Definitely it’s good to be back. I know most of the staff and the people in the front office and the clubbies — it’s just nice to see friendly faces and wear the white cleats again.”

Cahill, officially signed to a one-year, $1.5 million deal Monday, joins a club with an unsettled rotation, and while he has spent a lot of time working in relief in recent years — including a very successful stint in 2016 with the world champion Cubs — he would like to go back to starting.

“I’d like to start, I think I’m still able to start, hopefully that’s where I can help out the team the most,” he said. “But I’ve pitched in all kinds of situations and roles. I just want the ball, whatever (role) that is is fine with me.”

Melvin said Cahill was added to give the team starting pitching depth, adding, “We’ll see where we’re at,” Melvin said. “We’re going to get him some innings here as quickly as we can before spring’s over.”

Cahill has been working out in the Phoenix area, and several scouts who’ve seen him recently believe he’ll be a good addition. After a year of injuries, Cahill said he did a lot of shoulder work this winter and his arm feels better than ever. After a bullpen session Monday at Hohokam Stadium, he believes he’ll get to work in a game later this week.

He’s looking forward to his role as an older leader on the team.

“The biggest thing I can teach them is: You just never know,” Cahill said. “I remember when I got traded from the A’s, I was going to the Diamondbacks, who had won the year before — and then the A’s got really good. I think we can surprise some people.”

To make room for Cahill, the A’s placed pitcher Jharel Cotton (Tommy John surgery) on the 60-day disabled list.

Briefly: Santiago Casilla said he’s been been sidelined by shoulder tightness for the past week; he threw a bullpen session . ... Renato Núñez, who will begin the season on the DL because of a left hamstring strain, ran the bases . ... Reliever Ryan Dull (shoulder) also will open the season on the DL.