Garcia recalled, added to Giants' bullpen
SAN FRANCISCO -- The Giants added a fresh arm to their bullpen prior to Sunday’s game against the D-backs at Oracle Park, recalling right-hander Rico Garcia and optioning lefty Andrew Suárez to the alternate training site in Sacramento.
San Francisco has leaned heavily on its relievers this weekend after Tyler Anderson and Trevor Cahill delivered short starts in each of the first two games of the four-game series. Cahill, who is dealing with a left hip issue, couldn’t get out of the third inning in Saturday’s 4-3 win, forcing manager Gabe Kapler to use seven relievers to cover the remaining 6 1/3 innings.
Kapler hasn’t used any reliever in three consecutive games this year, so Sam Coonrod, Trevor Gott and Sam Selman were unlikely to be available Sunday after pitching on back-to-back days.
“The decision was largely based on the fact that we have two right-handed pitchers in Coonrod and Gott who have been pitching quite a bit,” Kapler said. “We want to be able to, if we need to, preserve both of those arms. We thought another right-handed pitcher would be good for us, so we made that decision.”
Garcia, 26, was a member of the Giants’ Opening Day bullpen, but he was sent down to Sacramento after logging a 7.50 ERA over his first nine appearances of the season. Kapler said Garcia would be available to throw two innings if needed.
Suárez, 27, has primarily served as the long man out of the bullpen, posting a 5.14 ERA over five appearances this year.
Giants weighing possible roles for Samardzjia
Kapler said the Giants will consider using right-hander Jeff Samardzija out of the bullpen once he’s ready to return from the injured list, though no decision has been made yet.
Samardzija, 35, logged a 9.88 ERA over his first three starts of the year before landing on the injured list with right shoulder inflammation on Aug. 8. He and lefty Drew Smyly each threw three innings in a simulated game at Oracle Park on Saturday, but the Giants are still determining the next steps for the veteran pitchers.
“I think both are on the table, both starting a game for us and potentially coming in in a relief role,” Kapler said of Samardzija. “Building up a little bit more is also an option.”
The Giants have only 20 games left over the final three weeks of the regular season, but Kapler said he believes there will be a role for Samardzija as he nears the end of the five-year, $90 million contract he signed in December 2015.
“He's certainly not been forgotten,” Kapler said. “We've been working as hard with Jeff as we have with Drew. We're constantly looking for the way that we can get them healthy, keep them strong and give them meaningful roles on our team.”
Worth noting
Players and coaches who spent time with the Triple-A national champion Sacramento River Cats last season were presented with championship rings during a pregame ceremony in the Giants’ clubhouse on Sunday morning. Among the recipients were first-base coach Antoan Richardson and assistant pitching coach Ethan Katz, who served as field coordinator and pitching coordinator, respectively, for the organization last year.
“It’s just a little way for us all to acknowledge the great work that has been done at the Minor League level,” Kapler said.