MESA, Ariz. -- The A¡¯s have mapped out their pitching plans for the early part of Cactus League play.

Right-hander Daulton Jefferies, ranked as the club's No. 6 prospect by MLB Pipeline, is slated to start Sunday¡¯s opening game against the Dodgers at Hohokam Stadium. Fellow right-handers Grant Holmes and Parker Dunshee will start the following two games, while left-hander Cole Irvin draws the start in the fourth spring game.

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Like most clubs around the league, the A¡¯s want to ease their main starting pitchers back into action, which is why Jes¨²s Luzardo, Frankie Montas, Sean Manaea, Chris Bassitt and Mike Fiers will not pitch in at least the first four games. Manager Bob Melvin revealed that those four games will be seven-inning contests, agreeing to the request from the A¡¯s opponents for each game. MLB is allowing Spring Training games through March 13 to be shortened to five or seven innings upon mutual agreement of both managers.

¡°We have a lot of pitching. We could cover nine innings in some of these games with no problem,¡± Melvin said. ¡°It¡¯s going to be a little different. Spring Training games tend to be a little longer sometimes. Maybe this will speed things up some. I was a little surprised to hear most teams wanted to do seven innings. Maybe we just brought a lot more pitchers to camp here.¡±

On the position player front, the A¡¯s expect Ram¨®n Laureano, Mark Canha, Elvis Andrus and Mitch Moreland to be among the regulars in Sunday¡¯s starting lineup. Melvin said starters will likely play the first four innings of games early on.

¡°As far as position players, it will probably be more four innings [for the starters] and then three innings for the second group,¡± Melvin said. ¡°We want to at least try to get guys two at-bats. Certain guys like to play a little bit longer. Other guys are not trying to rush things early on.¡±

Outfield prospect resolves visa issues

After missing the start of camp due to visa issues getting out of his home country of the Dominican Republic, a source told MLB.com that Luis Barrera has resolved the situation and arrived in Arizona on Saturday morning. The outfielder will go through the COVID-19 intake process required for all players prior to entering camp and he could join the club for the start of Cactus League play.

Barrera, ranked as Oakland¡¯s No. 7 prospect by MLB Pipeline, is expected to see a lot of playing time this spring as a candidate to land a spot on the Major League roster. The left-handed-hitting outfielder was considered one of the club¡¯s top performers at the alternate training site in San Jose last year. To keep himself sharp, Barrera played 13 games for Tigres del Licey in the Dominican Winter League.