Giants place Holland on IL, recall Blach
SAN FRANCISCO -- The Giants’ run of good health came to an end Monday when Derek Holland landed on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to Sunday, with a left index finger bone bruise. In a corresponding move, the Giants recalled left-hander Ty Blach from Triple-A Sacramento and stashed him in their bullpen for Monday night’s series opener against the Dodgers.
Manager Bruce Bochy said Holland has been dealing with the injury since fouling a ball off his finger during bunting drills in Spring Training. The Giants are hoping the 32-year-old left-hander will miss only one start and be able to return after the requisite 10 days.
“His left forefinger has been bothering him for a while,” Bochy said. “It goes back even to Spring Training. It’s just to a point where we think it’s a good time to give him a little break. That’s why we made this move.”
Holland has logged a 5.34 ERA over 32 innings in six starts this season and was due to make his next outing on Friday in Cincinnati. While Blach has been stretched out as a starter, the more likely option for that spot is right-hander Tyler Beede, who has posted a stellar 1.99 ERA with 10 walks and 34 strikeouts over 22 2/3 innings in five starts for Triple-A Sacramento.
Beede last pitched on Saturday, so he’d be lined up to start against the Reds if needed, though Bochy said no decision has been made. Blach will be available out of the bullpen for now, and his arrival is rather timely for the Giants, as he’s posted a 1.88 ERA in 12 career appearances against the Dodgers.
Blach, 28, fired five scoreless innings against the Dodgers on Opening Day last year, but he opened this season at Triple-A Sacramento after finding himself squeezed out of the Giants’ bullpen mix. He posted a 4.34 ERA over 18 2/3 innings in four Minor League starts this year.
“He’s been throwing the ball well,” Bochy said. “He has experience up here. Right now he’s a guy who’s going to help out in the bullpen. We had some pretty heavy bullpen usage in that last series, so we just feel we need a little help there, especially tonight. We’re getting to the point where we could be risking injury with some of these guys with the workload. He’s a guy that we can use as a swing guy.”
Worth noting
• Pablo Sandoval has begun to force himself into the Giants’ lineup with his hot start to the season, as he got the start over Evan Longoria at third base for the second consecutive game on Monday night. Sandoval is batting .295 with a .909 OPS this season, while Longoria is hitting .204 with a .610 OPS.
“Pablo, the way he’s swinging, it’s hard not to find a start for him right now,” Bochy said. “I’m going to give Longo another day and Pablo another start.”
• Steven Duggar (right wrist soreness) was out of the lineup for the third consecutive game, but Bochy said he’s showing improvement and will be available off the bench on Monday against the Dodgers.