Brown and Kaprielian could be odd men out

At 9 a.m. Thursday, the 30man roster will be cut to 28, and as usual, the A’s are likely to approach the reduction by keeping maximum flexibility in mind.

If so, infielders Franklin Barreto and Vimael Machin would be likely to stick, because Barreto, who has yet to start a game, is out of options, and Machin is a Rule 5 player who must be offered back to the Cubs if he clears waivers — but late Wednesday, the Athletic website reported that Barreto might be on his way out.

Should Barreto, who was obtained in the Josh Donaldson deal with Toronto, be designated for assignment, he’d have to clear waivers to remain in the organization. He’s the last remaining player from that Donaldson trade still with the A’s.

With outfield depth a major strength for Oakland and manager Bob Melvin already having to get creative to find playing time for Mark Canha, Stephen Piscotty and Robbie Grossman, the team’s fifth outfielder, Seth Brown, is expected to be the odd man out, especially considering that many of Oakland’s infielders also can play in the outfield. Brown, who hit .293 in 26 games with Oakland last season, has made one start this year and is 0for3.

Should the team drop a pitcher, the last one up is often the first one out, making James Kaprielian a good bet to head back to the A’s alternate site in San Jose. Kaprielian, a 2015 Yankees firstrounder who has had a long road coming back from Tommy John surgery, was called up to the big leagues for the first time Tuesday when reliever Jordan Weems went on the injured list.

The good news is that the rosters will remain at 28 the rest of the way and through the postseason, as A’s reliever Jake Diekman told reporters Tuesday.

Initially, teams were to drop two more players in another two weeks, but the wave of positive coronavirus tests the past week and a half changed things — it’s clear clubs need more personnel at hand. That’s why taxi squads for road games are growing from three players to five, and Brown and Kaprielian will be candidates to join that bunch.

Puk update: If lefthander A.J. Puk rejoins the A’s this season, it’s unlikely to be as a starter.

Puk, who is rehabbing from a shoulder injury, is playing catch out to 75 feet and “feels good,” Melvin said Wednesday. But the lefthander hasn’t resumed throwing from the mound and there’s no estimate for when he might face hitters.

“We’re not going to push anything,” Melvin said.

Nearly two weeks into the shortened season, Melvin said it’s almost “for sure” that if Puk returns down the stretch, it will be as a reliever. Puk pitched out of the bullpen for the A’s late last season after returning from Tommy John surgery, making 10 appearances.

“If something transpires in his rehab when he starts throwing off mounds and something were to happen in the rotation, maybe you could get him up to three or four innings and try to go from there,” Melvin said. “But if we get him back, it’s almost certain it would be in a bullpen role.” Chronicle staff writer Matt Kawahara

contributed to this report.