OAKLAND -- Bartolo Colon will make his return to the mound on Tuesday when he is eligible to return from the disabled list. The right-handed veteran has been out since June 18 with a strained right oblique muscle. "He's ready to go," A's manager Bob Melvin said. "A few days a go it looked like he got through a hurdle and he was looking forward to pitching."Colon is 6-7 with 4.22 ERA, 55 strikeouts and 16 walks. He is 8-11 with a 4.08 ERA in 24 career starts against the Red Sox. "He was telling me a week ago that he was going to get two starts in before the All-Star break was over," Melvin said. The A's have good news on two of their other key injured starting pitchers, Dallas Braden and Brett Anderson. Anderson, who has been out since June 5, 2011 after undergoing Tommy John surgery, will throw to live hitters on Friday. He threw 40 pitches in his last bullpen session, tossing 20 fastballs before taking a break and mixing in 20 breaking pitches. If that goes well, a rehab appearance could soon be in order.
"I would envision him making some starts this season," Melvin said. Braden threw another 20 pitch bullpen session on Monday. He threw all fastballs. "Talk about fired up for an appearance, that was like gameday for him," Melvin said. "I'm sure he woke up this morning with a little extra pep in his step. I was actually surprised how good he looked."Braden hasn't pitched since April 16, 2011 after undergoing surgery on his left throwing shoulder. There is no word on what the next step for him will be. He will have to start throwing breaking pitches though before taking any significant steps.
Injured starting pitcher Brandon McCarthy, who has missed 25 games with right shoulder soreness, has yet to resume throwing.
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