A's Griffin continues strong rehab stint

A.J. Griffin hasn't pitched for the A's in more than a year. If his last two rehab starts are any indication, he's getting closer to rejoining the big squad.

"I think he's getting excited to get back to Oakland and start throwing up there again," Class A Advanced Stockton pitching coach Rick Rodriguez said.

The 27-year-old right-hander allowed one hit over four scoreless innings on Sunday in the Ports' 5-1 loss to the Modesto Nuts at John Thurman Field. He struck out five batters and walked one. 

Griffin missed all of last season after undergoing Tommy John surgery. He'd been an integral part of the A's rotation in 2012 and 2013, compiling a 21-11 record with a 3.60 ERA and 235 strikeouts over 282 1/3 innings.

"He's pretty much the same pitcher now as he was then," said Rodriguez, who was Griffin's bullpen coach when he came up to Oakland in 2012. "He's a command-type pitcher. He just needs to go out there and execute his pitches."

The 2010 13^th-round pick appeared to experience a setback when he was shut down two innings into a three-inning simulated game at extended spring training. The cause turned out to be shoulder soreness and did not involve his reconstructed elbow, enabling Griffin to progress on schedule with his recovery.

Sunday was the second of two rehab starts with the Ports. He's yielded two hits over a combined seven scoreless innings while striking out eight. The California native was kept to a three-inning limit in his first start against Lake Elsinore on Tuesday. He threw fewer pitches this time out and was able to last one more inning.

"I've seen continued improvement with going that extra inning," Rodriguez said. "He wanted to throw some more curveballs this outing and he had some good changeups. He's getting stronger out there."

The pitching coach also said that while he's unsure of the specific plan for Griffin going forward, he'll likely move up to Triple-A Nashville before he's deemed ready to rejoin the A's.

"He still needs to get his pitch count up and face some higher competition," Rodriguez explained.

Barring any setbacks, Griffin is expected to return to the big leagues later this month. 

"When he was in Arizona rehabbing, he was working very hard," Rodriguez said. "He would pitch here, then go back to Oakland and do throwing and conditioning there. He's always been a hard worker, I can tell you that."

Dillon Overton (2-2) relieved Griffin and was charged with five runs on eight hits and a walk with five strikeouts in four innings.  

Modesto starter Harrison Musgrave gave up a run on five hits over 6 1/3 innings but did not factor in the decision. He struck out six and walked two.