Athletics' Melvin: 'Good chance' Manaea returns in September

As the Oakland Athletics push for a wild-card spot in a tightly contested American League race, their rotation may get reinforcements shortly.

Though the A's haven't made an official roster move, Sean Manaea has rejoined the club as of Thursday and sat in the dugout during the matinee against the Kansas City Royals. The 27-year-old has missed the entire 2019 campaign so far after requiring shoulder surgery late last season. Manaea's final minor-league rehab outing took place Friday.

"Obviously, there's a good chance we'll see him in September," A's manager Bob Melvin told reporters after the left-hander's bullpen session Thursday, according to Martin Gallegos of MLB.com.

Manaea's 2018 breakout season was cut short by injury. He posted a 3.59 ERA and 4.26 FIP over 27 starts, memorably throwing a no-hitter against the Boston Red Sox.

Over eight rehab outings between High-A and Triple-A, Manaea authored a 4.71 ERA in 36 1/3 innings, striking out 53 of the 147 batters he faced while walking 10.

Oakland is currently in sole possession of the second AL wild-card spot and trails the Cleveland Indians by 1 1/2 games.

Despite losing breakout ace Frankie Montas to a PED suspension, the Athletics' rotation has been one of the best in the AL in the second half. A's starters possess a collective 3.72 ERA. That sits third behind Cleveland (3.07) and the Houston Astros (3.19) entering Thursday, with deadline acquisitions Homer Bailey and Tanner Roark playing key roles.