Axford (shoulder) could be activated from the 10-day disabled list during the Athletics' upcoming six-game homestand, which kicks off Thursday against the Red Sox, the Associated Press reports.

EDGE Analysis

Before being activated by the Athletics, Axford is expected to pitch in at least one more game for Triple-A Nashville after he kicked off his rehab assignment Saturday with a scoreless inning. The Oakland bullpen ranks 23rd in the majors with a 4.73 ERA this season, so Axford could be thrust into a prominent role in front of closer Santiago Casilla once he's deemed ready to go.

Axford (shoulder) logged one scoreless inning of relief for Triple-A Nashville on Saturday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports. He threw 12 pitches (eight strikes) and struck out one batter.

EDGE Analysis

Axford didn't allow a hit or a walk, according to John Hickey of the East Bay Times. He may return in the coming days to reclaim a high-leverage role in the Athletics' bullpen, and with Santiago Casilla blowing his second save chance of the season Friday, perhaps Axford will earn the occasional closing opportunity. AL-only closer seekers could take a low-cost chance on him.

Axford (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment Saturday, Jane Lee of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The A's haven't specified which of their affiliates Axford will be sent to for his upcoming assignment, but more news should be available soon. Axford threw 21 pitches in a live bullpen session Wednesday and figures to slot into Oakland's bullpen once he's back in full health.

Axford (shoulder) threw another bullpen session Sunday, this time reaching 30 pitchers, MLB.com's Jane Lee reports.

EDGE Analysis

Axford tossed a 20-pitch session Thursday, and with another successful outing Sunday, the reliever is now lined up to throw live batting practice Wednesday. Should everything go as planned, the Athletics would then send Axford out on a rehab assignment.

Axford (shoulder) threw a 20-plus pitch bullpen session Thursday without setbacks, Jane Lee of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

That makes two such outings for the veteran, putting him another step closer to a return. Axford will likely throw at least one more bullpen before being deemed healthy enough for his 2017 regular-season debut.

Axford (shoulder) threw a bullpen session Tuesday and is slated to throw another Thursday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Axford said that he's feeling strong and suggest that, at this point, it's just a matter of fine-tuning his mechanics. The 34-year-old has been quite durable throughout his major-league career, making 60-plus appearances in each of the past six seasons, but Axford hit the DL with a strained shoulder during the first week of this season and there is no firm timetable for his return.

Axford (shoulder) has stretched out to throwing 90 feet in recent sessions, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran reliever resumed throwing earlier in the week and Slusser is reporting that he could join the team on its upcoming road trip to continue his rehab. Once Axford is able to start throwing off a mound, the A's will be able to formulate a timeline for when he can set out on a rehab assignment.

Axford (shoulder) started playing catch Tuesday and may begin throwing off a mound in the coming days, Jane Lee of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Axford is battling back from a shoulder strain that has sidelined him since early April. Manager Bob Melvin said that the reliever has been feeling a lot better recently, and although an exact timetable for his return has yet to be established, it sounds like the 34-year-old is progressing well in his rehab.

Axford (shoulder) still doesn't have a firm date on when he can resume throwing and will also need to undergo strengthening exercises, John Hickey of Bay Area News Group reports.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran reliever, thought to be a potential closer candidate alongside Santiago Casilla and Ryan Madson at one point, is yet to throw a pitch in the regular season due to his shoulder strain. Without a timetable for when he can even start throwing, his return date appears to be at least a week away at the earliest.

Axford's MRI on Thursday revealed there was no damage beyond a shoulder strain, John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Axford's MRI results yielded good news Thursday, though he'll refrain from throwing a baseball for the next week while he continues to recover. It appears he could be ready to return to action shortly after his minimum 10-day stay on the DL is up.