SAN FRANCISCO — The Giants have assembled a patchwork quilt of starting pitchers this season, as long-term injuries to top three starters Madison Bumgarner, Johnny Cueto, and Jeff Samardzija have forced the club to get creative with their rotation plans.
“Shark’s ready to go tomorrow in Sacramento,” Bochy said before Wednesday’s game. “We’re gonna have Johnny play catch tomorrow, then we’ll decide whether he’ll start his rehab or throw to hitters again. But the lean is toward Johnny starting the rehab, to be honest with you.”
Bochy added that Cueto could start his rehab Saturday, but the club is still ironing out the details of his schedule.
The Giants have been without Cueto since early May, who was diagnosed with a sprained elbow. This diagnosis was actually good news for the Giants, who were scared Cueto would need season-ending Tommy John surgery.
The club has started nine different pitchers this season, including prospects Tyler Beede, Dereck Rodriguez, and Andrew Suarez, the latter two of whom are currently regular rotation starters. Journeyman Derek Holland has also been a rotation mainstay after joining the club as a non-roster invitee in spring training.
Bumgarner rejoined the rotation on June 5, and Cueto and Samardzija are progressing in their recoveries. Samardzija is progressing through rehab starts, while Cueto is nearing the next step in his rehabilitation.
