Irvin could miss start on Friday

Oakland Athletics lefthander Cole Irvin is “dealing with a little shoulder tightness,” manager Mark Kotsay said Wednesday, putting his next start in question.

Irvin, who is scheduled to start Friday at Minnesota, had an MRI exam Wednesday and the A’s were waiting for the results, Kotsay said after the team’s loss to the Rays. Kotsay said the A’s have not ruled out Irvin pitching Friday.

“After his last start, he had a little bit of what we would call just general soreness,” Kotsay said. “He threw (on Tuesday), so we’re evaluating him today in terms of that soreness and we’ll have a plan based on how he feels and decide on that tomorrow.”

Zach Logue, currently on Triple-A Las Vegas’ roster, was at the Coliseum on Wednesday and is the apparent backup plan if Irvin doesn’t start Friday. Logue pitched last Friday with Las Vegas and would be on six days’ rest to face the Twins.

Irvin worked six innings Saturday against Cleveland, throwing 90 pitches. He said after the game he “didn’t have the velo today but still commanded pitches” while allowing just one run. Irvin’s average 90.3 mph fastball velocity in his outing was comparable to his season average of 90.9 mph, per Baseball Savant.

Irvin did not miss a rotation turn last season and was one of seven American League pitchers to make 32 starts.

Laureano nearing return: Ramón Laureano is on track to make his 2022 debut Sunday in Minneapolis. That’s when he’d be eligible after serving his 80-game suspension for testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug.

Kotsay is eager to insert the outfielder into his lineup.

“You’ve got to love Ramón’s fire and enthusiasm and passion to play the game … his professional at-bats, his leadership and the way he goes about his work ethic and his continued determination to go play hard,” Kotsay said.

Vogt’s waiting game: There isn’t a specific timetable for Stephen Vogt’s return, but he continues to progress in his rehab and said he hasn’t experienced setbacks. On April 21 he was placed on the 10day injured list with a Grade 2 MCL sprain in his right knee.

Vogt started playing catch Tuesday and has done some treadmill running. A camera captured him bummed out in the dugout after Tuesday’s loss, Oakland’s fifth in a row.

“These are my teammates,” Vogt said. “Whether you play or don’t play, every loss hurts. Every loss stinks.”

Kotsay called Vogt a valuable resource even when he’s on the IL, saying, “He’s still a big part of the leadership group.”