Jerez recalled to add fresh arm to bullpen

SAN FRANCISCO -- The Giants added a fresh arm to their bullpen for the start of their seven-game homestand Thursday, recalling Williams Jerez and optioning Andrew Suárez to Triple-A Sacramento.

Suarez gave up three runs over 1 2/3 innings against the Rockies on Wednesday and was expected to be unavailable after throwing 33 pitches, prompting the Giants to bring up Jerez for the second time this season.

“Williams will be used to help out of the bullpen,” manager Bruce Bochy said. “Anywhere as far as giving us innings, if needed, so we can lighten the load on the rest of the guys. We have been using them a lot, and that’s a good thing. We’ve been winning.”

Jerez, a 27-year-old left-hander who was acquired from the Angels in exchange for Chris Stratton in March, pitched a scoreless inning in his lone appearance for the Giants on May 7. He has logged a 4.01 ERA with 11 walks and 47 strikeouts over 42 2/3 innings for Triple-A Sacramento this season.

In an administrative move, the Giants also added Jandel Gustave to their 40-man roster and optioned him to Triple-A Sacramento. Gustave, who joined the organization on a Minor League deal over the offseason, has posted a 6.85 ERA over 22 1/3 innings in 25 appearances for Sacramento this year. The 26-year-old right-hander recorded a 3.98 ERA over 20 appearances for the Astros from 2016-17, but he missed the entire 2018 campaign while rehabbing from Tommy John surgery.

To clear a spot for Gustave, the Giants transferred Travis Bergen to the 60-day injured list. Bergen, a Rule 5 Draft pick, has been sidelined since May 21 with a left shoulder strain, but he has begun a rehab assignment and allowed an unearned run over one inning for Triple-A Sacramento on Wednesday.

Hayes steps down as San Jose manager

Earlier this week, Bill Hayes abruptly resigned as the manager of Class A Advanced San Jose, the affiliate where the Giants’ top two prospects -- catcher Joey Bart and outfielder Heliot Ramos -- are playing. Hayes was replaced by 34-year-old Hector Borg, who had been serving as the fundamentals coach for the Giants’ Dominican Summer League team.

The Giants did not announce an official reason for Hayes’ departure, but Bochy recently spoke with his former first-base coach and said Hayes appears to be at peace with his decision.

“I talked to Billy,” Bochy said. “We had a long talk. I felt for Billy a little bit. I know how much he loves this game and what a hard decision that was. But he felt like it was time. It was the right decision for him. I don’t know how he felt at the time. We have to make a call, just like I made my decision [to retire]. The man has done a lot for me. I thank him for all the work and the effort he put forth when I had him here as a coach. He’s a good baseball man, and I know he’s going to miss the game.”