Commissioner ‘concerned about pace’ of A’s ballpark decision

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DETROIT — The A’s shouldn’t wait on deck until the Raiders resolve their stadium issue, Commissioner Rob Manfred said.

“The Raiders have to make their own set of decisions. The A’s and baseball have to make their own decisions,” Manfred said during a visit to Comerica Park on Tuesday. “I really see them in separate terms.”

After Manfred replaced Bud Selig in January, he said the A’s ballpark issue was a priority. Neither the Raiders nor A’s have ruled out rebuilding at the Coliseum property. The Raiders, unlike the A’s, have options beyond Oakland.

“I think Oakland is active in terms of constantly exploring what their options are with the principal focus on Oakland,” Manfred said, referencing the A’s. “I speak to Lew (Wolff, managing general partner) probably more than any other individual owner because I am very concerned about the situation in Oakland and I’m concerned about the pace at which this is moving forward.”

Manfred seemed encouraged by the intentions of Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf, saying, “She seems to be very interested in keeping the A’s, which is my principal concern.”

O’Flaherty returns: Eric O’Flaherty (shoulder strain) was reinstated from the disabled list, giving the A’s two lefties in the bullpen, including Fernando Abad. O’Flaherty didn’t blame his rough start (0-2, 11.57 ERA, eight outings) on the injury.

“It’s not something you ever want to use an excuse,” O’Flaherty said. “If you go out there and pitch, it’s your job to get the job done.”

Briefly: Drew Pomeranz will be activated in the next day or so and initially will work out of the bullpen. ... Scott Kazmir, who missed a start with shoulder tightness, threw a bullpen session and is on target to start Friday in Boston. ... In his first rehab start since Tommy John surgery, A.J. Griffin threw three scoreless innings (one hit, three K’s, no walks) for Class A Stockton. ... To make roster room for O’Flaherty, reliever Angel Castro was optioned to Triple-A Nashville.

Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred addresses the media before a baseball game between the Detroit Tigers and the Oakland Athletics, Tuesday, June 2, 2015, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred addresses the media before a baseball game between the Detroit Tigers and the Oakland Athletics, Tuesday, June 2, 2015, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) Photo: Carlos Osorio, Associated Press Photo: Carlos Osorio, Associated Press Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Commissioner ‘concerned about pace’ of A’s ballpark decision 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

John Shea is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer.

On deck

Wednesday

at Tigers

4:08 p.m. CSNCA

Gray (6-2)

vs. Sanchez (3-6)

Thursday

at Tigers

10:08 a.m. CSNCA

Hahn (2-5)

vs. Greene (4-4)

Friday

at Red Sox

4:10 p.m. CSNCA

Kazmir (2-3)

vs. Miley (4-5)

Leading off

Candidates: Sonny Gray (3-2, 1.67 ERA, 41 strikeouts, 14 walks, 372/3 innings) and Jesse Chavez (2-3, 1.93, 33 K’s, eight walks, 42 innings) are in the running for AL Pitcher of the Month honors for May.

— John Shea