SURPRISE, Ariz. — Pitching is awful all around the Cactus League this spring, which isn’t all that uncommon for a lot of reasons, including the fact that this is the time of year when pitchers are working on things, lots of minor-leaguers are in action, and the desert air doesn’t lend itself to breaking pitches.

Even so, Oakland’s pitching, judged against everyone else’s under the same conditions, is particularly poor. Entering Saturday, the A’s had a 6.45 ERA, second highest in the majors behind the Giants’ 6.56.

“You have to keep some perspective because of the time of the year, but that doesn’t mean it’s OK,” A’s executive vice president of baseball operations Billy Beane said. “It’s easier to take that approach when you have guys with seven- or eight-year track records. But this is a young staff; as we get through the last week here, there needs to be a greater sense of urgency.

“I’m not going to downplay it, other than the fact that this isn’t necessarily an environment that is conducive to great pitching performances. But it isn’t OK.”

Most of the damage has come off the A’s starters, usually an area of strength. The rebuilt bullpen has been top-notch, but after Chris Bassitt gave up seven hits and five runs in five innings against the Royals on Saturday, the lowest ERA among Oakland starters is his 5.28 mark.

This points to a shakeup in the projected rotation. Potentially out of the mix: Jesse Hahn, who was on the disabled list much of the second half last season with a forearm strain. He’s healthy — his fastball is consistently in the 95-96 mph range — but he doesn’t look sharp, and he has a 10.97 ERA. Getting some work in the minors might help him regain his form.

As a result, Felix Doubront (who had been quite good until allowing seven runs Thursday) is likely to open the season in the rotation. Among other things, his curveball is the best scouts have seen it.

Another plus: If Doubront is not in the bullpen, then Ryan Dull certainly would be, and the rookie has been sensational, especially when coming in with runners on base. Opponents are hitting .069 against Dull.

“I think he’s the biggest piece in our bullpen,” catcher Stephen Vogt said. “We need someone like that who can get us out of trouble.”

Oakland’s poor fielding this spring has made it even more difficult to judge pitching. Manager Bob Melvin noted that Doubront and Sean Manaea had better recent outings than their lines might indicate because of sloppy defense.

“This is the time that results start to matter, and the results are scary at times, but the starters all feel good and the stuff is good,” Vogt said. “That gives us confidence that when they’re throwing pitches the situations dictate, things will change.”

Oakland’s projected rotation is Sonny Gray followed by Rich Hill (15.26 ERA), Bassitt, Kendall Graveman and Hahn, but Doubront could slot in anywhere behind Gray. Manaea has impressed and could be in the rotation in a month or two.

And there’s one more major consideration: Henderson Alvarez, an All-Star with Florida in 2014, is returning from shoulder surgery and could be pitching for Oakland by mid-May. “Like an in-season free-agent signing,” Melvin said, describing Alvarez’s arrival as “looming.”

Alvarez threw a 40-pitch bullpen session Saturday and used all his pitches. He’s expected to face hitters next weekend.

Susan Slusser is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: sslusser@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @susanslusser