A’s Jed Lowrie gets day off; toe problem might end his season

ANAHEIM - Jed Lowrie got a scheduled day off Thursday, but the toe injury on his left foot is no better and season-ending surgey looms as a possibility for Oakland’s second baseman.

Melvin confirmed that starter Henderson Alvarez, who has yet to return from right shoulder surgery performed 13 months ago, was checked out for potential thoracic outlet syndrome this week.

A specialist, Dr. Greg Pearl, found no evidence that Alvarez has the condition, in which compression on nerves and/or blood vessels between the collarbone and ribcage causes shoulder pain.

Alvarez, an All-Star with Miami in 2014, is beginning a conditioning program, but it doesn’t appear likely that he will pitch for Oakland this season, though getting innings in in the instructional league or perhaps in winter ball might be an option.