SAN FRANCISCO -- Jeff Samardzija's final opportunity to make a positive impact on the 2018 Giants season could be at hand.
Samardzija entered the season as the Giants' No. 3 starter but has made only 10 appearances this season due to recurring shoulder issues. The right-hander has pitched twice since May 29 and is expected to throw off a bullpen mound Thursday, repeating the task he performed Monday.
Manager Bruce Bochy said if Samardzija emerges pain-free from his upcoming bullpen session, he'll likely throw a simulated game at Dodger Stadium next Monday, when San Francisco opens a three-game series against Los Angeles.
Ideally, Samardzija would rejoin the rotation soon afterward, though he might lack the durability that enabled him to exceed 200 innings in each of the previous five years.
At that point, the Giants will have 43 regular-season games remaining. Common sense dictates that if they still consider themselves postseason contenders, they won't be able to wait for Samardzija (1-5, 6.25 ERA) to take any detours in his physical recovery.
Bochy praises sidelined Sandoval
Bochy said he talked to Pablo Sandoval, who will undergo season-ending surgery on his right hamstring Tuesday, and tried his best to cheer up the popular third baseman.
"He's a big part of this club with his energy and his passion," said Bochy, who expressed hope that Sandoval will stick around the ballclub down the stretch to motivate and inspire teammates.
Bravo for Bart
Joey Bart, the Giants' first-round selection (second overall) in this year's MLB Draft, was named the Northwest League Player of the Month for July while playing for San Francisco's Class A Short-Season Salem-Keizer affiliate. Bart hit .333 and led the league in home runs (nine), RBIs (24), total bases (65), slugging percentage (.747) and OPS (1.126).