Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Alex Dickerson is on schedule.
Bruce Bochy said he still expects the Giants left fielder to return when he’s eligible — Sunday — from the 10-day injured list, as he recovers from a “mild” oblique strain.
Before the Giants hosted the Nationals on Monday, the manager said Dickerson has begun baseball activities, and they’re “hoping” it won’t take him any extra time to return to the field. The Giants’ offense has missed him.
“We thought about giving him a couple days [rather than the IL],” Bochy said. “The best thing to do is get it out of there so it doesn’t linger.”
Injuries are always a concern for Dickerson, whose back surgery wiped out his 2017 season. But he has insisted the oblique issue is a separate, lesser problem to have. He last played July 30.
Conner Menez, back at Oracle Park on the taxi squad, will get Tuesday’s start, Bochy said.
The left-hander, who debuted July 21 by allowing a pair of runs in five innings, had been demoted as the Giants juggle a staff that’s full of option-able pitchers.
“He’s had a nice year. That’s why he’s here,” Bochy said of the 24-year-old, who was excited to look around the locker room and see names like Sam Selman and Jandel Gustave, with whom he’s spent much of his minor league season.
Johnny Cueto made his first start since 2018 Tommy John surgery in the Arizona Rookie League on Sunday and struck out five in two innings. Bochy reported a day later, Cueto felt “great.”
“Really excited about where he’s at, how he feels,” Bochy said.
The Giants snatched righty reliever Ryan Dull off waivers from the A’s. He had 50 strikeouts in 39 2/3 innings with Triple-A Las Vegas, pitching to a 5.45 ERA in the hitter-friendly PCL.
“That’s a great pickup for us,” Bochy said. “… With our bullpen changing a little bit, it’s another option.”