Athletics activate closer Sean Doolittle (shoulder) from disabled list

The Oakland Athletics activated closer Sean Doolittle from the disabled list on Tuesday.

Oakland Athletics has activated closer Sean Doolittle from the disabled list, the team announced on Tuesday. 

Doolittle will not be immediately re-installed as the closer, manager Bob Melvin told reporters Monday, but will first pitch in a handful of non-save situations. 

Doolittle has not pitched this season after being diagnosed with a partial tear in his rotator cuff in January. The injury did not require surgery.

Tyler Clippard, who was acquired in a trade with the Washington Nationals two weeks before Doolittle's injury was announced, has served as the closer in Doolittle's absence. He has converted four of his five save opportunities and has allowed five runs in 19 innings. 

Doolittle was an All-Star last season and converted 22 of 26 save opportunities, with 89 strikeouts in 62 2/3 innings. 

Reliever Angel Castro, a 32-year-old who made his major-league debut this season, was sent down to Triple A to make room for Doolittle on the roster. 

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- Dan Gartland