Sean Doolittle: (Shoulder) Expected To Miss Start Of Season

Doolittle has a slight rotator cuff tear in his left shoulder as well as "considerable" inflammation in the area and is not expected to be ready by the start of the season, Jane Lee of MLB.com reports.

Analysis:

Upon diagnosis, Doolittle was treated with a platelet-rich plasma injection, and the team will now wait until the inflammation dies down before re-evaluating him and determining the next step. With Doolittle not expected to be ready for Opening Day, the A's figure to turn to recent trade acquisition Tyler Clippard to handle ninth-inning duties to start the year. That said, Eric O'Flaherty, who served as the team's closer for a stretch last year when Doolittle was hurt, could see some opportunities based on the matchups.