Cody Glenn-USA TODAY Sports
The show that is Johnny Cueto will hit the road for his next act.
The Giants are penciling him in for Tuesday in Boston for his encore after Cueto tossed five one-hit, no-run innings in Tuesday’s 5-4 victory over the Pirates at Oracle Park.
The Giants had not wanted to commit earlier about when Cueto would pitch again to see how he came through his first major league start in more than 13 months.
“He’s playing catch and he’s doing well,” Bruce Bochy said of Cueto, who debuted this season following Tommy John surgery. “… With the day off [Monday], that affected it too a little bit.”
They will give Cueto a bit of a break following his 69-pitch performance. They likely will handle him carefully the last three weeks of the season.
Will Smith, who had an MRI on his back that came back clean, has a tentative return date. Bochy said the closer, who hasn’t pitched since Saturday, “feels a lot better.”
“[Thursday] he’ll start throwing a little bit,” Bochy said. “My hope is by the weekend he’ll be ready to go.”
Reyes Moronta had successful surgery in Los Angeles that Bochy said went “better than I expected.” According to the Giants manager, only the righty’s labrum needed repairing, as his capsule was OK.
He did not have a timeline for Moronta’s return.
More injury news!
Alex Dickerson told KNBR on Tuesday night he felt “noticeably better” while swinging as he tries to return for a second time from a right oblique strain. Dickerson took more swings in the cage Wednesday, and Bochy said he still expects the left fielder to return this weekend.
“Just gotta get him on the field, ramp it up on the field a little bit, and he’s on his way,” Bochy said.
Chris Shaw is yet to get a start.
The first baseman and left fielder took a good amount of ground balls at first before the Giants played the Pirates at Oracle Park, but he again was not in the lineup. Mike Yastrzemski was in left and Brandon Belt at first, as the slugger (1-for-7 with four strikeouts) continues to await his chance.
“He was close to being in there today,” said Bochy, who said he would try to find him at-bats soon.
Also not in the lineup, for a second straight game, was Buster Posey.
Stephen Vogt was set to catch Logan Webb. Bochy said Posey is physically OK, but he didn’t want him playing a night game and then day game. With Thursday getaway day for Pittsburgh, Posey will start then.
Shaun Anderson is yet to appear back-to-back days as a Giants reliever, but as he gains a bigger role, Bochy said that’s on the table.
“He’s done it. He’s been in the pen now since he’s been recalled,” Bochy said of Anderson, who earned his first major league save Tuesday after closing at the University of Florida. “I think he’s fine. Now, with that said, he’ll play catch and we’ll check on him. He showed that ability earlier in his career.”
Also not in the lineup was Evan Longoria, whose last day off was a Giants day off, on Aug. 28.
“We’re in a pretty good stretch here. I just want to take care of Longo,” said Bochy, who plugged Corban Joseph into third.
The top of the lineup may have been a peek into the Giants’ future.
Against righty Dario Agrazal, Yastrzemski was in the leadoff hole and Mauricio Dubon batting second. The second baseman batted leadoff for the first time a night earlier.
“He’s I’m sure comfortable up there,” Bochy said. “… I like that combo. The kid, you can do some things with him. You can bunt, hit and run. He sees pitches, gives you speed.”
