A’s Sonny Gray OK after illness, Kendall Graveman now sick

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Sonny Gray was back at the Coliseum on Tuesday after a bout of what the A’s now believe to be stomach flu, and another starter, Kendall Graveman, was out with a similar ailment.

Gray will start Wednesday night against the White Sox. Graveman is scheduled to pitch against Chicago in the final game of the series Thursday, and manager Bob Melvin said he believes Graveman will be able to make that start.

With four or five team members becoming ill over the past few weeks and recent opponents, including the Giants and White Sox, dealing with the same issue, trainer Nick Paparesta addressed the team before batting practice to go over precautionary measures, including frequent hand washing.

“I’ve had a Purell dispenser in here for years; now everyone doesn’t think I’m so crazy,” Melvin said. “We’re going to do the best we can to combat it.”

Gray said he became ill early Monday morning, and though he needed four IV bags of fluids, he did try to lobby to make his scheduled Opening Night start.

Oakland A's pitcher Sonny Gray throws during the third inning of a spring training baseball game against the against the Chicago Cubs, Tuesday, March 29, 2016, in Mesa, Ariz.

Oakland A's pitcher Sonny Gray throws during the third inning of a spring training baseball game against the against the Chicago Cubs, Tuesday, March 29, 2016, in Mesa, Ariz. Photo: Matt York, AP Photo: Matt York, AP Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close A’s Sonny Gray OK after illness, Kendall Graveman now sick 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

“I was getting fluids and IVs, trying to get some energy and hydration back, then they told me I wouldn’t pitch,” he said. “It was upsetting. I can tell you no one was more upset than I was.”

Gray had started the previous two Opening Nights for Oakland.

“It was really unfortunate timing,” he said. “I just happened to get it the wrong day. ... It’s an important game, but in the grand scheme of things, it’s one of 162.”

Gray’s fiancee, Jessica Forkum, also required IV fluids, but their 1-year-old son, Gunnar, is fine, Gray said.

“It’s just a bug that’s going around,” he said. “Mine just hit at the wrong time.”

The A’s will hold their first real “Sonny Siders” promotion Wednesday; those who bought tickets for the “Sonny Siders” section Monday still did get the T-shirt after Gray was scratched.

Briefly: Jason Rezaian, the Washington Post reporter held in an Iranian prison for 18 months until his release in January, is an A’s fan and threw out the first pitch Tuesday. … On Wednesday at the Coliseum, Henderson Alvarez will throw to hitters for the first time since his 2015 shoulder surgery. Alvarez, a 2014 All-Star with the Marlins, could be ready to pitch in the big leagues by mid-May.

Susan Slusser is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer.

On deck

Wednesday

vs. White Sox

7:05 p.m. ESPN2

Rodon (9-6) vs.

Gray (14-7)

Thursday

vs. White Sox

12:35 p.m. CSNCA

Latos (4-10) vs. Graveman (6-9)

Friday

at Mariners

7:10 p.m. CSNCA

TBA vs.

Walker (11-8)

Leading off

Milestones: Coco Crisp got his first start Tuesday; he’s one stolen base shy of 300 for his career. He needs one triple for 23 with the A’s, which would tie Carney Lansford, Reggie Jackson and Billy North for fifth in Oakland history.

— Susan Slusser