Holland to assume role of third starter when season gets going
SAN FRANCISCO >> The Giants took a flier on Derek Holland at the start of spring training. Now, he’ll be flying with them to Los Angeles this week to open the regular season.
Manager Bruce Bochy announced Monday night that Holland, who signed a minor-league contract in February, would slide into the No. 3 turn in the rotation and face the Dodgers on Saturday. The one-time Texas Rangers workhorse inherits the spot that was supposed to belong to Jeff Samardzija (strained pectoral muscle).
It’s a crazy game: Holland was available largely because of his own checkered injury history. But the left-hander worked his way back from shoulder and knee ailments to pitch well this spring.
“To get this opportunity is what I was trying to do. I want to show people I’m not done,’’ Holland said after pitching five solid innings in a 9-2, 10-inning loss to the A’s at AT&T Park.
“Obviously, injuries are the worst part. That’s something we don’t ever want to see.”
To make room on the 40man roster for Holland, the Giants designated Jarrett Parker for assignment, meaning the Giants now have seven days to work out a trade or place him on waivers. There was no immediate word on the outfielder’s fate, but Bochy said: “We’d love to have Parker back in our system.”
Holland, 31, started Monday night’s game already knowing his spot was secure — he kept the news quiet for a few days. He finishes
spring with a 4.05 ERA and 23 strikeouts over 20 innings.
Holland was almost as happy about making the team as his uncles were. Warren Henderson, who lives in Arizona, and Wes Henderson, who lives in New Mexico, are such Giants fanatics that they play them in Strat-O-Matic games.
“Their text to me was, ‘Go get yourself a ring now with the good guys,’’’ Holland said.
Bochy is happy to have the pitcher aboard, too.
“He pounded the strike zone,’’ the manager said. “Showed good stuff. He’s into the low-90s (mph) with good command. He’s got the veteran presence you like on the mound.”
Holland had his best season in 2013, when he posted a 3.42 ERA over 213.0 innings with the Rangers. But knee and shoulder injuries derailed his career — Holland’s ERA over the
past three seasons: 4.91, 4.95, 6.20.
“It sucked. It was a dark time,’’ he said Monday night. “Every time I would come back, it was, ‘Ahh, I got (another) injury.’ This shows me how much hard work I’ve done to keep plugging away to get this opportunity.”
With injuries to Samardzija and ace Madison Bumgarner, however, the Giants rotation is a bit of a hodgepodge. Ty Blach will start against Clayton Kershaw on Opening Day this Thursday at Dodger Stadium, followed by Johnny Cueto on Friday and Holland on Saturday.
The Giants liked the way Holland’s changeup improved this spring, and the team historically leans toward players with a track record. Holland has 184 career starts.
“He’s had some rest and he looks fresh, ready to go,’’ Bochy said. “He just pitches with a lot of confidence, too. He’s usually pitching ahead in the count and that’s always a good thing.”
• Parker, 29 was out of minor league options. In
135 career games for San Francisco, the left-handed outfielder batted .257 with 15 home runs and 51 RBI, with a .454 slugging percentage.
• Dusty Baker, who won the most games of any San Francisco Giants manager before leaving the team in a cloud of anguish and acrimony, is returning to the club.
Bakers, a three-time manager of the year with the Giants, will be a special adviser, reporting to team CEO Larry Baer and executive vice president Brian Sabean.
According to USA Today, talks between Baker and the Giants began in February, after the Washington Nationals declined to renew Baker’s contract despite back-to-back division titles. The paper said Baker would evaluate the Giants and minor league players.
Baker was a popular figure during his managerial tenure from 1993-2002, during which he won 840 games (a mark since surpassed by current Giants manager Bruce Bochy).
Baker led the Giants to the 2002 World Series and had the team five outs from a championship before the Angels rallied to win Game
6. The Giants lost again in Game 7, after which Baker left the team amid tension between himself and the front office.
Bruce Bochy, the Giants’ current manager, said he’s happy to welcome aboard an experienced voice.
“Dusty is a guy that I’ve always revered and respected,’’ Bochy said Monday night. “We’ve managed against each other now for over 20 years. “He did a lot here for the San Francisco Giants and I’m glad to see Dusty back here helping.”
Baker went on to manage the Cubs, Reds and Nationals. Though he led all three teams to the postseason, he never got back to the World Series.
• Red-hot catcher Buster Posey went 1 for 3 with a double. His spring average is at .471 with a .824 slugging percentage.