D. Ross Cameron-USA TODAY Sports
The Giants expect Logan Webb to just miss one start.
Then again, “We were optimistic that he wouldn’t have to miss a start at all,” Gabe Kapler said Thursday.
After Webb was lifted early from a Monday start because of right shoulder soreness, an MRI found he has a mild strain that the club hopes will not keep him out long. But of course, with shoulder injuries and pitchers, there are no sure things. Webb saw Dr. Ken Akizuki on Wednesday and was moved to the 10-day injured list a day later. With the cleared spot, the Giants activated lefty Jose Alvarez from the injured list.
The Giants’ deep and sterling rotation that would be six-deep if they ever achieved full health is now needy. Aaron Sanchez should be throwing in the next few days, but will not be ready to return from right bicep tightness by Saturday, when Webb’s turn in the rotation would come.
The Giants are beginning their first series with the Dodgers of the year with Alex Wood (matched up against Trevor Bauer). They don’t know who will pitch Saturday, and Anthony DeSclafani will get the ball for Sunday’s finale at Oracle Park.
Kapler said there are candidates both in the bullpen and at Triple-A Sacramento for spot-starts, and they’ll be considering whom to turn to over the next day.
If, say, Johnny Cueto goes deep into the game Thursday afternoon and spares the bullpen, it’s possible they piece together a bullpen game. Or perhaps the game could be started by Conner Menez, who started for Sacramento last Friday but only went two innings.
Menez is on the roster and the only Triple-A arm capable of starting with that designation. If the Giants clear 40-man roster space, they could turn to Nick Tropeano — but he pitched two innings Tuesday and would be going on four days rest. Also pitching Tuesday was righty Daniel Alvarez, who has given up one run in 8 2/3 innings, split between three appearances, while striking out nine for the River Cats. Veteran Scott Kazmir is a possibility, having thrown 3 1/3, one-run innings Saturday. Tyler Beede, recovering from Tommy John surgery, is not yet an option.