Doolittle takes step forward in recovery

OAKLAND — A’s reliever Sean Doolittle faced live hitters Friday for the first time since being placed on the disabled list June 26 with a strained left shoulder.

Doolittle threw 20 pitches off the Coliseum mound to teammates Tyler Ladendorf and Max Muncy as several members of the A’s coaching staff watched, including manager Bob Melvin and pitching coach Curt Young. Melvin was encouraged by Doolittle’s performance.

“We’ve been pretty conservative for obvious reasons,” Melvin said of Doolittle’s recovery process. “He’s a big part of what we do here and we want to make sure he comes back strong and we’re not pushing the envelope too quick. Knock on wood, everything looked really good today.”

The team will assess how Doolittle feels Saturday before determining his next step. Melvin said Doolittle could throw to hitters one more time or embark on a rehab assignment next week.

Doolittle has dealt with inflammation in his left labrum, which flared up after a week of extensive usage in late June prior to his stint on the DL. Doolittle missed most of 2015 with a left shoulder injury, and …

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