OAKLAND -- The Mariners are moving closer to getting their full rotation back for the final stretch run as Marco Gonzales played catch without any issues with his strained neck on Sunday and now will get back on the mound this coming week.
Gonzales will throw a light bullpen session on Monday when the Mariners return to Safeco Field and figures he'll need one more workout off the mound before returning to a starting role. The Mariners have set their rotation for the upcoming Orioles series, with Erasmo Ramirez, Wade LeBlanc and Mike Leake going in the three-game set.
James Paxton, who came off the DL on Saturday, figures to line up for one of the games against the Yankees next weekend, and Gonzales could potentially return by the end of that series if all goes well.
Gonzales (12-9, 4.32 ERA in 25 starts) was Seattle's best starter in the first half, but he went 0-4 with a 10.35 ERA in four August starts. He's hopeful the forced rest from the cervical neck strain winds up being a blessing in disguise.
"As soon as I was able to let loose, I wanted to, because it's been feeling good and the break has been good for my arm," Gonzales said. "That's the silver lining. My arm feels good, and hopefully it turns into a second wind here into the last stretch.
"That's all of our goal, to come in here and feel good about the way we finish. We put in so much work in the beginning and middle of the season, it's important to finish this last month the right way."

Mariners manager Scott Servais is cautiously optimistic that Gonzales can return soon if he feels well in Monday's mound session.
"If that goes well, we'll have a better idea where that leads us," Servais said. "I'm much more encouraged based on what the trainers have told me the last couple days. And his arm is fine. There's no issues with that. We'll see how he feels when he gets on the slope."
Gordon continues his own defensive shift
Servais had Dee Gordon back in center field for Sunday's series finale with the A's, his third game in the outfield since Robinson Cano returned on Aug. 14. Since then, Gordon has started seven games at second base, five at shortstop and three in center.
"It's a testament to these guys being all in and doing what's best for the team," Servais said. "It's not easy to move around to different positions, but in Dee's case, I've told him don't take anything too seriously. Go out and just play like you're in high school or college, don't take it too serious.
"I thought he played great at shortstop the first couple games in this series, and he's done a great job at second base all year. He did a nice job last time we were here in center field. Don't outthink it. You see it up in the air, just go catch it."

With Ryon Healy hitting .382 over his last 15 games, Servais would like to keep his bat in the lineup at first, which means keeping Cano at second base. Servais believes Healy's defense at first base has been better than the metrics show, but he has no problem using Cano at first as well and will continue splitting time there.
"I think Robbie's been fine there, too," Servais said. "He just hasn't had the reps over there, but I don't think anything really fazes Robbie defensively on the field. He's another guy who has been open to moving around. And it's not easy, but understanding what is best for our team and willing to do it."