Melancon strong in return
Players will tell you they can feel like non-people when they are on the disabled list. Giants reliever Mark Melancon felt like a ballplayer Sunday when he not only pitched for the first time since forearm surgery in September, but struck out the side in a 6-1 victory.
“I can’t tell you how excited I am to just get to contribute instead of sitting on the sidelines cheering the guys on,” Melancon said.
Melancon’s arm might never be right again. He might not be the closer again, because Hunter Strickland has nailed down that job. But Melancon’s three-strikeout inning suggested he can deepen a bullpen that is gaining the consistency it lacked in 2016, prompting the Giants to sign him to a four-year, $62 million deal.
Strickland and setup man Sam Dyson were off Sunday. Tony Watson was not needed. The Giants still were able to get shutout innings without them from Melancon, Will Smith and Reyes Moronta.
Melancon did not throw harder than 91 mph, but he struck out Aaron Altherr, Mitch Walding and Cesar Hernandez.
“That’s how I envisioned it the whole time,” Melancon said. “Obviously, you don’t want it to be any other way. I guess the power of mental preparation is good.”
Cueto throws: Madison Bumgarner might not be the only Giants starter to return in June. Manager Bruce Bochy said Johnny Cueto could be back from his elbow sprain this month. It would have to be the 30th, the first day he is eligible to come off the 60-day disabled list.
Cueto played catch from 120 feet and reported no pain
“It wasn’t the plan today, but he got up on the mound and played a little catch,” Bochy said. “That shows how anxious he is to get going.”
Cueto could throw his first formal bullpen session on the upcoming trip. Briefly: Giants first baseman
Brandon Belt came to AT&T Park to check with the medical staff two days after an appendectomy. Head athletic trainer Dave Groeschner said Belt “looked good.” Belt is expected to miss about three weeks. … Jake Arrieta’s homer is the only run the Giants have allowed in their past 34 innings. … According to Stats Inc., the Giants are the first team ever to hold an opponent to one run in a three-game series on a pitcher’s home run.