Manaea will likely return to rotation Wednesday

OAKLAND — The A’s plan to pencil in left-hander Sean Manaea for a start in Kansas City on Wednesday, after the rookie got through a 50-pitch bullpen session without any issues on Saturday.

Manaea, sidelined by back discomfort for more than a week, “looked better than ever today on the mound,” said A’s manager Bob Melvin, who will employ a six-man rotation upon Manaea’s return.

“Had a lot of life on the ball, threw all his breaking pitches well,” Melvin said. “He wants to finish up the season pitching. I know that’s a goal of his.”

Manaea, 24, is in line to make at least three more starts to cap his rookie campaign, which, much like the A’s season, has endured its ups and downs. The lefty, sporting a new mustache — “At first, everybody thought it was terrible except for [John] Axford,” he said — has pitched to a 4.40 ERA in 21 …

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