A's Jarrod Parker begins playing catch

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When Jarrod Parker got to the park Monday, assistant trainer Brian Schulman asked him if he'd slept at all the night before.

"Huh?" Parker responded. "What are you talking about?"

Though it had been listed on his schedule, he had no idea: Monday was the first day for the A's starter to play catch since his Tommy John surgery March 25, a big step in the recovery process.

"It's good to see some progress," said Parker, who made 25 throws at a distance of 45 feet. "It just feels good to be outside."

"That puts a smile on everyone's face," manager Bob Melvin said of Parker's activity.

Parker said he was cleared to throw by Dr. James Andrews after a visit to Florida to see the surgeon after the All-Star break. He'll play catch three times a week for the time being, and of course, he is still not expected back until the first half of next season.

A.J. Griffin, also coming back from Tommy John surgery, is doing sock tosses, so he's right behind Parker on the throwing schedule. Playing catch would be next for him within a few weeks.

Gray's month: Sonny Gray was named the American League Pitcher of the Month - again. April's honoree was recognized again for going 5-0 in July with a 1.03 ERA. He's the first A's player to be named Pitcher of the Month twice in one season since Barry Zito in 2001.

What - no May or June?

"I got hit too much," he said.

Last month, Gray said, he corrected some things that had bit him in June, and his changeup was particularly working well.

"I got back to what got me here, what made me successful - just competing and not trying to trick people too much," Gray said.