Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
SAN FRANCISCO — The Giants (37-38) continue to stay afloat with Johnny Cueto and Jeff Samardzija, their No. 2 and 3 pitchers in the starting rotation, on the disabled list. It appears both players have made steady progress and will make rehab starts this week.
On Thursday evening, hours before the Giants welcomed the San Diego Padres in their series opener, Giants manager Bruce Bochy said Cueto is scheduled to start Saturday with Triple-A Sacramento. He will throw 40 pitches.
Cueto, who compiled a 3-0 record with a 0.84 ERA in five starts this season, continues to recover from a sprained elbow he suffered in early May. His original timetable was set at six-to-eight weeks, which holds relatively true with his current progress.
“It’s exciting news,” Bochy said. “We get to see Johnny get back on the mound; see a light at the end of the tunnel with him.”
Bochy said Samardzija will start Thursday night with Triple-A Sacramento and throw 70 pitches. The Giants manager estimates Samardzija will make three starts before returning to the major league club, though that timetable is not definitive.
“We will see how each one goes,” Bochy said.
Samardzija last made a big league start, which lasted only one inning, on May 29. He exited the game with shoulder stiffness and was placed on the disabled list one day later. He also missed the first three weeks of the season with a strained pectoral. In his eight starts this year, Samardzija has struggled, producing a 1-4 record with a 6.56 ERA and 1.68 WHIP.
Madison Bumgarner, who missed the first three months with a broken pinky, will make his fourth start of the season Thursday night.
