Oakland A’s could get veteran outfielder back for upcoming homestand

Oakland A’s outfielder Ramón Laureano could return to the club next week after a short rehab assignment with Low-A Stockton.

Laureano, on the injured list since Aug. 15 with a strained left oblique, is 2-for-8 with two singles in two games with Stockton since he began the rehab assignment last Thursday. He played right field Saturday after a day off and went 0-for-4, and was slated to be the Ports’ designated hitter Sunday in their game with San Jose.

A’s manager Mark Kotsay said the team will assess how Laureano is feeling after the weekend. Oakland has the day off Monday and begins a two-game series with Matt Olson and the Atlanta Braves at the Coliseum on Tuesday. The A’s then host the Chicago White Sox for a four-game set.

Laureano is hitting .223 with a .695 OPS and 29 RBIs in 84 games this season. The A’s had gone 8-11 in his absence before Sunday.

Jackson update

Kotsay said Saturday that Zach Jackson’s MRI showed a right shoulder strain. The A’s plan to rest Jackson’s shoulder for seven to 10 days before determining the next course of action. No cortisone injections are planned, Kotsay said.

Jackson went on the 15-day IL on Aug. 27 with right shoulder inflammation and with just 27 games left, the last place A’s could shut him down for the season. But Kotsay said there’s value in returning for Jackson if he’s physically able. Jackson is 2-3 with a 3.00 ERA and a 1.271 WHIP in 54 games this season.

“Anytime a player can finish the season, I think you want to give them that opportunity,” Kotsay said. “There’s still enough time after these seven to 10 days if he’s feeling strong enough and good enough to come back and finish out his year. It’s been a great year.

“This young man has really made strides here at this level and proved that he can pitch here. So there’s nothing left to prove for him in that matter. But I know a player’s mindset. I was of that mindset for 17 years that there’s something about finishing the season.”