Many pitching options

With several starters lined up and waiting to rejoin the rotation, the A’s will have some intriguing decisions to make before the All-Star break.

Brett Anderson, who threw 52⁄3 innings at Triple-A Nashville on Tuesday as he works his way back from a shoulder strain, could be back as soon as Sunday, with Trevor Cahill and Daniel Mengden expected back sometime this month.

Considering how well the A’s makeshift rotation has done recently — 4-1 with a 2.34 ERA over the past seven games — while the team has had six starters on the DL, Oakland has many options in the next few weeks:

Keep in mind the A’s like to maximize their ability to hang onto assets. That means Edwin Jackson will stick in the rotation — and he should on merit, anyway. The right-hander has a 2.13 ERA in his two starts.

Chris Bassitt has pitched in long relief, so he’s likely to move into that spot upon Anderson’s return.

Because they have options left, Paul Blackburn and Frankie Montas are likely to be the odd men out when Cahill and Mengden come back. Montas has shown so much improvement and turned in so many good starts, he’s likely to stay around the longest and get the first shot to come back when needed. Blackburn gets points for racing back from his rehab assignment before he was entirely ready, but he’s had some erratic outings.

Before long, Oakland’s rotation could be: Sean Manaea, Cahill, Jackson, Anderson and Mengden, with greatly improved depth at Nashville and Montas, Blackburn and Bassitt all in good graces if and when needed.

Mengden (sprained foot) will start at Nashville on Friday, and Cahill is likely to go Sunday.

Andrew Triggs, on the DL with nerve irritation in his right arm, got good news in a visit to Dr. Keith Meister in Dallas on Tuesday — another MRI exam and additional testing showed no structural damage in his elbow. Triggs won’t pitch for 10 to 14 days.