OAKLAND -- Trevor Cahill's Coliseum return is set for Tuesday.
The veteran right-hander, who will take the stage against the White Sox, will be back in an A's uniform for the first time since 2011. Manager Bob Melvin was at the helm in an interim role at the time, having joined the club following Bob Geren's dismissal June 9. Cahill started that day, also against the White Sox.
"Back then, it was basically sinker-curveball, and now he's got a few more pitches in the arsenal," Melvin said. "He's pitched out of the bullpen, he's started, he's kind of come full circle.
"We've always liked him here, obviously, and he's had a nice little career, and we look forward to seeing him on the mound in front of like 250,000 people tomorrow."
Well, more like 56,782, should the A's fill the Coliseum for Tuesday's free game in celebration of their 50th anniversary.
The A's inked Cahill to a $1.5 million Major League deal in late March and assigned him to Triple-A Nashville at season's start to allow him time to build up innings. Cahill totaled 83 pitches in his most recent start Thursday, and Melvin anticipated "maybe a little bit more than that" come Tuesday.
Cahill, 30, was with the Sounds for two starts, opening his season with a four-inning performance that included two runs (one earned) and three hits. He limited the opposition to one hit in his second outing but walked four and allowed three runs. He totaled seven walks and 10 strikeouts across a combined 9 2/3 innings.
"Good sink and had a good breaking ball, a good changeup, had pretty good command of his pitches," Melvin said. "This guy's got some history, got some experience."
Cahill began the 2017 season with the Padres, pitching to a 4-3 record and a 3.69 ERA in 11 starts before he was shipped to Kansas City at the Trade Deadline in a package that also included Ryan Buchter, now an Athletic. Cahill posted an 8.22 ERA in 10 games for the Royals (three starts) while battling injuries.
The A's are hoping the right-hander can help them cure a bout of rotation woes. Oakland starters not named Sean Manaea, who has a tidy 1.63 ERA, entered the day with a combined 7.03 ERA.
Pinder activated
A's utility man Chad Pinder returned from the disabled list Monday, after missing the minimum amount of time with a hyperextended left knee. He was 4-for-13 at the time of his injury and went 2-for-7 in two rehab games for Class A Advanced Stockton.
"He was swinging the bat really well when he got hurt but came back pretty quickly," Melvin said. "He's ready to go, and it's nice to have hm back, because he can play so many different positions for you, and a lot of juice in the bat."
Middle-infield prospect Franklin Barreto, who appeared in just one game without an at-bat during Pinder's absence, was optioned to Nashville.
Worth noting
• Rehabbing right-hander Paul Blackburn (forearm strain) said Monday he's expected to begin a throwing program Friday, beginning at a distance of 60 feet.