Law calm about DL stint

The words “elbow strain” are always scary, especially when attached to a team’s best reliever — more so one who had Tommy John surgery two years ago.

The guy who seemed the least concerned was Derek Law, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list before Sunday’s game. An MRI exam revealed scar tissue and inflammation that were irritating a nerve. He said he had a similar issue in April and was not worried the MRI would reveal anything dire.

“The ligament is still great, and the flexor is still great,” Law said, adding he expects to return in two weeks.

Law felt no pain and did not feel a pop, either of which might have raised the scare level. His symptoms were lower velocity and discomfort when he extended the elbow.

The 25-year-old rookie threw 14 pitches and struck out a hitter in Saturday night’s 3-1 loss to the Braves. He has pitched 51 innings in 53 games with a 1.94 ERA and 47 strikeouts, allowing one run over his past 22 innings.

Law said the sensible course is resting the elbow now so he can pitch normally over the season’s final weeks and into the postseason, should the Giants reach it. Manager Bruce Bochy, who has elevated Law to eighth-inning setup man, seconded that.

“We want to take care of this kid and make sure nothing is going on and give him the break he needs,” Bochy said. Fifth starter: Bochy has said Matt Cain (back strain) could reclaim the fifth spot in the rotation and start Friday's game at Wrigley Field, but that is up in the air now.

Cain had a bad rehab start for Sacramento at Fresno on Saturday. He allowed six runs on 10 hits in five innings.

“Matty was OK,” Bochy said. “He felt fine. He’s healthy.”

The Giants are unsure who will pitch Friday or even beyond in the fifth spot. It could be Cain, Jake Peavy (after he is eligible to return), Albert Suarez or even a prospect such as Ty Blach, who is dominating Pacific Coast League hitters.

“It could be matchups based on the lineups we’re looking at,” Bochy said. Briefly: Madison Bumgarner won his seventh consecutive decision against the Braves . ... Joe Panik and Jarrett Parker combined for seven of the Giants’ 13 RBIs . ... The eight-run seventh was the Giants' biggest inning in 2016.