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One key question about the second go-round between the Giants and Dodgers has been answered: Trevor Bauer’s sword likely will be sheathed. The newest and most willing villain in San Francisco is scheduled to start Wednesday in Houston, which means the Dodgers — who have been going with a four-man rotation because of injuries — could open with a bullpen game, then go Walker Buehler, Julio Urias and Clayton Kershaw.
The Giants’ is less set.
Logan Webb is expected to throw a bullpen session on Wednesday, Gabe Kapler said, and he is eligible to be activated off the injured list Friday, if he is ready and that is when the Giants want him. Webb threw out to 120 feet Tuesday.
“What I can share is that Webb reports feeling good,” Kapler said of Webb, on the IL with a right shoulder strain. “…That bullpen [session on Wednesday] will really give us a lot of information.”
So if he comes through OK, it’s possible he could get a turn at Dodger Stadium. Assuming the Giants stay on schedule, after Johnny Cueto pitches Wednesday at Chase Field, Alex Wood would start the Dodgers series Thursday and could be followed by Webb or Scott Kazmir. Anthony DeSclafani likely would start Saturday before Gausman gets a chance in the rivalry for the Sunday finale.
If not Webb or Kazmir, it is also possible someone like Nick Tropeano takes a turn. But after the 37-year-old Kazmir threw four innings of one-run ball Saturday in his first start in nearly five years, he could be ready to stretch out to about 70 pitches.
Kapler said the Giants have talked about the possibility of Kazmir getting that start “quite a bit, and he’s certainly ready for the task if needed.”
Aaron Sanchez, who opened the season in the rotation but has not pitched since May 4 with what the team has termed right biceps tightness, is continuing his throwing program in Florida, Kapler said.
Sanchez, who pitched well despite diminished velocity early in the season, has played catch a few times since seeing Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles and coming out of the visit with “promising” results, Kapler said.
The Giants have not provided a timetable, but the righty has plenty of building up to do.
Another June starting possibility was not sharp in Triple-A on Tuesday.
Tyler Beede, in his fifth rehab start with Sacramento, walked two, hit a batter and allowed one run on one hit in two innings and 52 pitches, in which he threw 27 strikes.
Beede, coming back from Tommy John surgery, was scheduled to go four innings, but his pitch count cut that short. Pitchers frequently struggle with control in their first season back from the elbow surgery. In his previous start, Beede walked four in 2 2/3 innings.
“His command hasn’t been great on this rehab assignment,” Kapler said over Zoom. “…That’s something that I’m sure our minor league staff is right on top of. I know that [pitching coach] Andrew Bailey is thinking about it quite a bit. We know that that level of command, the good command, is in there.”
The Giants promoted starting prospect Sam Long from Double-A Richmond to Sacramento. The lefty had a 3.00 ERA in 15 innings with 22 strikeouts.
Starting prospect Caleb Kilian (1.25 ERA, 32 strikeouts and one walk in 21 2/3 innings) was moved up from High-A Eugene to Richmond, as was reliever Jose Marte (6 1/3 scoreless innings with 14 strikeouts).
Kapler said the services for Matt Wisler‘s grandmother will be Wednesday The reliever was placed on the bereavement list Sunday.
The Giants’ lineup for the first of two games in Arizona:
1. Mike Yastrzemski, RF
2. Buster Posey, C
3. Alex Dickerson, LF
4. Brandon Belt, 1B
5. Evan Longoria, 3B
6. Brandon Crawford, SS
7. Donovan Solano, 2B
8. Steven Duggar, CF
9. Kevin Gausman, P