© Steve Mitchell | USA Today
Following a seven-inning, 112-pitch start from Dereck Rodriguez and the loss of Johnny Cueto to the 10-day disabled list, manager Bruce Bochy is looking to give his starting pitchers some rest. Cueto is likely to miss the rest of the season, after Bochy announced that there was a “strong possibility” he would need Tommy John surgery in his right elbow.
Jeff Samardzija also remains on the 10-day disabled list with right shoulder inflammation, leaving the Giants with Rodriguez, Madison Bumgarner, Andrew Suarez and Derek Holland as their four key starters.
While the Giants have an off-day tomorrow, Bochy is looking to conserve his starters where possible, considering the limited rotation. With that in mind, Bochy said after Tuesday’s 3-2 win over the San Diego Padres that is likely going to have Chris Stratton start against the Arizona Diamondbacks on August 2nd, rather than skipping Cueto’s start and returning straight to Bumgarner. Bochy said the plans are not official as of yet, but he is hoping to get every starter he has an extra day off.
