48 Joakim Soria RP

Soria (0-1) failed to record an out in a loss to the Angels on Friday, allowing four earned runs on three hits and a walk.

The former closer was called on to start the eighth with the Athletics cruising following a masterful six innings from starter Marco Estrada and a perfect seventh from Lou Trivino. Soria proceeded to yield singles to Jonathan Lucroy and Brian Goodwin before surrendering a double to Kole Calhoun that plated both. Despite a rocky start to the season that's now seen him give up five earned runs across two of three outings, Soria is expected to be relied on as one of several setup options ahead of closer Blake Treinen over the course of the season.

Soria was credited with a hold in an exhibition win over the Giants on Monday, allowing a hit and recording a strikeout over a scoreless second inning.

Once one of the top closers in the game, Soria bounced back from a couple of so-so campaigns in 2018 while spending time with the White Sox and Brewers. The 34-year-old generated a solid 3.12 ERA and 1.14 WHIP while posting 16 saves and 13 holds with the help of a 75:16 K:BB over 60.2 innings. Blake Treinen has a firm hold of the ninth-inning job in Oakland, but Soria projects as a valued setup option along fellow power arms Fernando Rodney and Lou Trivino.

Soria (hip) retired two of the five hitters he faced in Wednesday's 5-3 Cactus League loss to the Dodgers.

It wasn't the sharpest showing for Soria, who walked two batters in his first appearance of the spring. More importantly though, Soria reported no ill effects with the hip injury that had hampered him early in camp, putting him on track to fill a key role out of the bullpen when the Athletics open their regular season March 20 versus the Mariners in Tokyo. Soria is projected to serve as one of the top setup men for closer Blake Treinen.

Soria (hip) is slated to make his Cactus League debut Wednesday versus the Dodgers, John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Soria has been battling some right hip discomfort in the early stages of camp but the worst of it seems to be behind him at this juncture. He faced minor-league hitters on a side field Sunday and should be included in the pitching schedule Wednesday if he experiences no renewed soreness leading up to the exhibition contest.

Soria (hip) is nearing a return to game action, Jane Lee of MLB.com reports.

Right hip tendinitis has put Soria behind a bit early on in camp, but he threw to hitters at the team's minor-league complex Saturday and it sounds like we will see him in Cactus League games soon. Soria is expected to serve as the top setup man to closer Blake Treinen.