Oakland’s bullpen taking shape
MESA, Ariz. — The A’s bullpen is coming together. Imagine that.
Santiago Casilla finally is heading to Arizona. John Axford is blowing off the World Baseball Classic and staying in camp. And Ryan Dull and
Liam Hendriks made their exhibition debuts in Friday’s 6-1 victory over the Giants.
It’s a pleasant turn of events for manager Bob Melvin, who’s counting on a strong late-game relief corps this season and has plenty of experienced options.
“We’re jelling and coming together as a team,” Axford said. “That’s something you want to be a part of in spring training. It’s tough when you’ve got a lot of guys here trying to keep that focus or get a team feel, and it’s even harder when you leave.”
A day after Axford spoke about the glory of wearing “Canada” across his chest, he became the latest A’s player to pull out of the WBC, citing “personal and professional reasons.”
Axford wouldn’t explain the personal reasons but said, “I’m here with the team I’m going to be with for the next seven months, hopefully longer with playoffs. That’s plenty of professional reason not to leave for a week-plus.”
Other A’s to pull out of the WBC were Sonny Gray, Khris
Davis and Hendriks. It would be no stunner if Casilla didn’t go to the WBC, either, considering he’s not in A’s camp yet.
Casilla, who had visa problems in the Dominican Republic after signing for two years and $11 million, is flying to Arizona on Saturday and joining A’s camp Sunday.
At this point, it would appear doubtful Casilla would pitch in the WBC, but Melvin’s not totally ruling it out.
“We’ve supported him,” Melvin said. “The timing has thrown a little bit of a wrench in it. Until he gets here and we talk about it, I think our stance remains the same.”
Hendriks threw a perfect inning against the Giants, and Dull added a scoreless inning despite issuing two walks.
Two key relievers haven’t yet appeared in a game. Ryan
Madson, who has had arm soreness, could throw a bullpen session Saturday and get in a game soon. Sean Doolittle, slowed by shoulder issues in recent years, spun some breaking pitches his last time on a bullpen mound.
Doolittle is being eased into action as the A’s exercise patience in this extra long spring training, a result of the WBC — a WBC that might include no A’s. Pick-off prowess: In his second start, Kendall Graveman threw two scoreless innings and picked off Brandon Crawford, who got the only hit on Graveman’s watch. First baseman Yonder
Alonso praised Graveman for his footwork and suggested the pitcher is so good at pickoffs that he could throw to first with his eyes closed.
“He’s known throughout the league for having a really good pickoff move,” Alonso said. “He’s always right on the bag. I tell him not to throw it at me, just throw it to the bag. It’s always an easier tag. He’s one of the best I’ve had throwing to me.”
Briefly: Pitching coach Curt Young underwent a “disk procedure” in his neck, Melvin said, and will miss a few days. Bullpen coach Scott Emerson has taken over Young’s duties. … The A’s are off Monday, so Gray’s next start is Tuesday on five days’ rest. … Outfielder
Jake Smolinski (shoulder) still hasn’t appeared in a game . ... The A’s said longtime communications executive Ken Pries decided to move to a senior adviser role. Catherine Aker was promoted to vice president of communications and community relations, Zak Basch to director of media relations. John Shea is The San Francisco Chronicle’s national baseball writer. Email: jshea@sfchronicle. com Twitter: @JohnSheaHey