DENVER -- Getting a jump on their upcoming roster obligations, the Giants optioned right-hander Pierce Johnson to Triple-A Sacramento and recalled utility man Kelby Tomlinson from the same affiliate on Wednesday.
Giants manager Bruce Bochy explained the timing of the moves by pointing out that Johnson would have been demoted on Thursday, in conjunction with right-hander Johnny Cueto's impending activation from the disabled list.
Johnson was temporarily unavailable to pitch due to extensive use. He worked 2 1/3 innings on Sunday at Arizona and 1 1/3 frames on Tuesday against Colorado. The right-hander went 3-2 with a 5.75 ERA over 28 appearances.
Tomlinson, who batted .216 over his previous three stints this year with the Giants, started at third base in Wednesday's 1-0 loss to the Rockies, going 1-for-2 with a single. But he faces the possibility of returning to Triple-A when Cueto's activation becomes official. Cueto is scheduled to start Thursday against the Cardinals at AT&T Park.
Worth noting
• Bochy said that in an effort to give Joe Panik occasional rest, the Giants might give Austin Slater some playing time at second base. Slater appeared in 96 games at second base in the Minors. Bochy also mentioned the possibility of Slater sharpening his skills at first or third base, largely to get his bat in the lineup.
• MLB.com's Jim Callis reported that the Giants agreed to a $290,000 bonus with their 18th-round Draft pick, outfielder Bryan Hernandez. The 6-foot-2, 178-pounder attended Leadership Christian Academy in Puerto Rico.