UPDATE (1:10 p.m.): Corresponding with Sergio Romo’s activation from the 60-day disabled list, Albert Suarez has been optioned to Triple-A Sacramento. Pitcher Mike Broadway was also designated for assignment, because the Giants needed to open a spot on their 40-man roster. Suarez faired well in place of Matt Cain, but the Giants can use Thursday’s off-day to skip his spot in the rotation before the All-Star break.
SAN FRANCISCO — After nearly a three-month wait, Sergio Romo is finally rejoining the Giants bullpen. The right-handed reliever was activated hours before Monday’s first pitch, 76 games after he first went down with a right flexor strain.
It’s a timetable that manager Bruce Bochy never envisioned, but elbow soreness last month pushed the Giants to be extra cautious getting Romo to the finish line. He joins a bullpen badly in need of a boost, currently one off the Reds for the most blown saves in baseball.
“You’re hoping with all this time off he’ll be fresh in the second half,” Bochy said.
The right-hander won’t immediately slot back into his eighth-inning role, but Bochy feels like he can use Romo “anywhere.” Ideally, he and pitching coach Dave Righetti would like to put Romo is a less stressful situation to see how he’s throwing.
Even with Romo’s return, there’s no doubt the Giants are limping toward the All-Star break. Six players are still on the DL, and Denard Span could soon join the injured group. He received injections to alleviate the discomfort in the right side of his neck, but it sounds like he’s the first option to hop off the 25-man roster in place of Romo.
Bochy didn’t have to start Brandon Belt in left field or Jarret Parker in center, but his Fourth of July lineup against the Rockies’ (37-44) left-hander Tyler Anderson (0-2, 2.66 ERA) is still indicative of his beat-up team. It’s posted below today’s notes, but here’s a sneak peak: Angel Pagan and Grant Green are hitting atop the lineup.
Pagan is hitting leadoff for only the fourth time this year, not only because of Span’s neck injury, but Gregor Blanco is still out with a sore left knee. Bochy said Blanco has made “a lot of improvement,” and it sounds like he could be available if needed in Monday’s game.
Green is starting his fifth straight game since getting called up, and he could play quite a few more. Joe Panik is still dealing with a mild concussion, and Bochy said the second baseman won’t be back until after the All-Star break. The Giants have four days off, and fully intend on using those to heal their injured bunch. That means Matt Duffy won’t be pushed to accelerate his rehab, and they might even take things slower with Kelby Tomlinson.
The versatile infielder DH’d for two games with Single-A San Jose this weekend, going 2-for-8 before beginning the second phase of his rehab assignment. Tomlinson will play in Sacramento tonight, and at least one more game for the Rivercats this week before rejoining the Giants.
Ramiro Peña is OK to play after spraining his left ankle in Oakland last week, and infielder Ehire Adrianza is “real close” to starting his rehab. He’s participating in baseball activities: running, hitting and fielding ground balls.
Take a breath. There’s no more injury updates. Here’s the lineups.
Giants lineup vs. Tyler Anderson
CF – Angel Pagan (S)
2B – Grant Green
1B – Brandon Belt (L)
C – Buster Posey
SS – Brandon Crawford (L)
RF – Mac Williamson
LF – Jarrett Parker (L)
3B – Ruben Tejada
RHP – Jake Peavy
Rockies lineup vs. Jake Peavy
CF – Charlie Blackmon (L)
2B – D.J. LaMahier
3B – Nolan Arenado
RF – Carlos Gonzalez (L)
SS – Trevor Story
LF – Ryan Raburn
1B – Mark Reynolds
C – Nick Hundley
LHP – Tyler Anderson
