Panik back, Pence near
Just when it seemed things could not get wackier in these parts, Pablo Sandoval is going to take groundballs at shortstop.
“He’s got good hands and a good first step,” manager Bruce Bochy said Friday before the Giants opened a three-game series against the Phillies at AT&T Park.
Until Alen Hanson returns from his hamstring injury, probably early next week, Sandoval will be the only backup infielder. The Giants optioned Kelby Tomlinson to the minors to clear a roster spot for second baseman Joe Panik, who was activated five weeks after tearing the ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb. Hanson is playing short during his rehab assignment to get reps there.
Brandon Crawford figures to play every inning at shortstop until the Giants get Hanson back, but Bochy has to be ready just in case. Bochy could move Panik to short and play Sandoval at second base, but he said
that would weaken two positions instead of one.
Reliever Mark Melancon also was activated for the first time in 2018 after rehabbing an elbow injury. The Giants cleared a 40-man roster spot for Melancon by designating reliever Jose Valdez for assignment.
More moves are coming Saturday, when outfielder Hunter Pence is activated after rehabbing his sprained thumb and taking time to retool his swing. He has not appeared in a majorleague game since April 18.
Bochy restated that Mac Williamson is his left fielder, and Pence will be a backup.
“I’ll try to get him in there as much as I can, get him playing
time late in the game like I would with a fourth outfielder,” Bochy said.
Pence’s return will require another 25-man roster move. Bochy said the club is not likely to carry six outfielders long term, so another outfielder could go on the disabled list. Bochy has been careful how much he plays Austin Jackson because of chronic leg issues.
Bumgarner’s return: As expected, Madison Bumgarner will make his 2018 debut Tuesday against the Diamondbacks after he completed a two-start rehab assignment with 42⁄3 innings at Class A San Jose on Thursday night.
Panik played behind Bumgarner in San Jose and said, “He looked like the same old Bum, arguing with the umpire in the first inning. He looked good.”
Rookie on the hill: Dereck Rodriguez will start against the Phillies on Sunday. The medical staff declared the rookie good to go after he threw a bullpen session Friday and reported no discomfort in his right shin after taking a liner off the bat of Ian Desmond in Denver on Tuesday during his big-league debut.
Ty Blach becomes a long reliever.