ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A familiar face, and a very popular one, returns to Oakland for the next three days.

Outfielder Yoenis Céspedes will make his first appearance against the A’s since being traded to Boston in July, coming in with Oakland’s old nemesis, the Tigers.

“It would be nice to see him take a few days off, if he wants to take a few days off,” A’s manager Bob Melvin joked, then added, “I’ve managed a few guys I’m close to, and certainly he’s one of them. You appreciate seeing them as a person ... maybe not as much as a player.

“My guess is he’ll get a nice reaction from the fan base for what he did with the team.”

In the 2½ seasons Céspedes played for Oakland, the team was 228-131 with him in the lineup. Since he was dealt for Jon Lester and Jonny Gomes on July 31, the A’s are 38-63.

“I think Cespy will get a nice ovation from the fans, and he should,” said reliever Dan Otero, who has remained in touch with Céspedes — their Cuban family members are friends. “He had 2½ pretty good years for us, did a lot of really good things. I think we might see some La Potencia banners out there.”

Céspedes leads the league with 16 doubles and is batting .289 with five homers, 24 RBIs and 23 runs.

Injury news: Left-hander Eric O’Flaherty (shoulder) will throw a bullpen session on Monday and could head out on a rehab assignment later in the week, and right-hander A.J. Griffin (Tommy John surgery) also will throw a bullpen session on Monday but his rehab assignment has not yet been determined.

Ben Zobrist (knee) played second base for Triple-A Nashville on Sunday and went 1-for-4 with a run scored, and closer Sean Doolittle (shoulder) pitched one inning, allowing two hits and a run.

Zobrist will come off the disabled list Monday. Little-used outfielder Craig Gentry is likely to come off the roster to make room for him.

Susan Slusser is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer.

On deck

Monday

vs. Tigers

1:05 p.m. ESPN

Greene (4-2) vs.

Hahn (1-4)

Tuesday

vs. Tigers

7:05 p.m. CSNCA

Price (3-1) vs.

Chavez (1-4)

Wednesday

vs. Tigers

12:35 p.m. CSNCA

Kazmir (2-3)

vs. Simon (5-2)

Leading off

Early arrival: Monday starter Jesse Hahn was sent back ahead of the rest of the team because of the coast-to-coast flight Sunday evening and a 1:05 p.m. start at the Coliseum on Memorial Day. Hahn is 0-3 with a 5.86 ERA over his past five starts.

— Susan Slusser