Giants add Mazzaro, send down Broadway

NEW YORK -- To ensure they have enough fresh pitchers, the Giants selected the contract of right-hander Vin Mazzaro from Triple-A Sacramento and optioned right-hander Mike Broadway to the same club before Saturday's rematch against the New York Mets.
Broadway yielded the final six runs in the Mets' franchise-record-setting 12-run third inning Friday night. He proceeded to pitch two scoreless innings, sparing Giants manager Bruce Bochy the task of summoning one or maybe two more relievers and thus taxing the bullpen's collective manpower. Unfortunately for Broadway, he spent himself in the process as his ERA climbed to 11.81.
Hence the Giants summoned Mazzaro, a non-roster invitee to Spring Training who has pitched in the Majors for parts of the previous seven seasons with Oakland, Kansas City, Pittsburgh and Miami. In six games (one start) with Sacramento, he recorded a 0.64 ERA, limited opponents to a .191 batting average and posted a 0.93 WHIP.
Bochy tried to soften the blow that Broadway absorbed by being sent down after spending 10 days with the Giants.
"What I told him was, what a job he did after probably one of his worst innings ever. But we need coverage," Bochy said.
Bochy reaffirmed his belief that the Giants still need a 13-man pitching staff. It had been speculated they might promote an infielder to provide depth up the middle while sending down Broadway, given second baseman Joe Panik's groin injury. However, Bochy stated that keeping an extra pitcher remains more essential than an additional infielder.
"They're getting plenty of work," Bochy said, referring to the members of his pitching staff. "We have no plans of changing that right now."
• Bochy indicated Panik, who felt tightness in his right groin as he broke from the batter's box in Friday's ninth inning, might sit out not just Saturday's game but also Sunday's, at least. Bochy deemed Panik available to pinch-hit, though he'd probably need a pinch-runner if he were to reach base.

Bochy said Kelby Tomlinson will benefit from filling in for Panik. However, Bochy acknowledged the Giants will miss the offense provided by Panik, who entered Saturday having reached base safely with walk or a hit in 15 consecutive games. That helped him score 17 runs, a team-leading figure before Saturday.