The Athletics will attempt to convert reliever Pedro Figueroa back into a starting pitcher, according to MLB.com.

He made his major-league debut in 2012, pitching 21 2/3 innings over 19 appearances in relief while posting a 3.32 ERA and 1.43 WHIP, but was sent to Triple-A to begin the 2013 season.

"We want to stretch him out to throw more innings as a starter for us," A's manager Bob Melvin told MLB.com.

Figueroa was converted into a reliever after undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2010. That year, he had a 5.30 ERA, 1.58 WHIP and 57 strikeouts in 71 1/3 innings as a starter at the Double-A level.