Gray cleared to begin throwing after clean MRI on lat

Sonny Gray's ailing lat muscle appears to have healed earlier than expected, as the Oakland Athletics right-hander was cleared to begin throwing Tuesday after his MRI returned clean, according to Joe Stiglich of CSN.

Gray was expected to be shut down for three weeks after straining his right lat, but John Hickey of Bay Area News Group reports he underwent a checkup Monday at the two-week mark that showed significant progress in his recovery, making a mid-April return possible.

He'll begin his rehab by throwing from 75 feet.

Gray was expected to be given Opening Day duties for the Athletics before suffering the injury. The 27-year-old has crafted a 3.42 ERA in 608 innings pitched throughout his career, though he struggled in an injury-riddled 2016, posting a 5.69 ERA in 22 starts.