With Mark Melancon being placed on the 10-day Disabled List Tuesday, the Giants have called up Double-A closer Reyes Moronta for the final game of the club’s three-game set in New York on Wednesday.
Giants have called up RHP Reyes Moronta from AA Richmond. Was only P on 40-man nearby. Hard throwing closer has .175 OBA this year.
— Andrew Baggarly (@extrabaggs) May 10, 2017
Moronta, 24, will likely only be with the club for one day, as the Giants are taking advantage of the quick trip from Double-A Richmond to New York, something they also did three years ago with Matt Duffy, who ended up playing well enough to never get sent back down.
Moronta is the only member of the Giants 40-man roster in Double-A and has a fastball that at times can reach triple digits. In 11 appearances this season, Moronta has posted a 3.18 ERA, with five saves and 17 strikeouts. Last season with Single-A San Jose, Moronta struck out 93 and walked 20 in 59 innings pitched.
“He looks like (Jean) Machi a little bit and he has a similar fastball, with a little different angle,” Bochy told Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area. “He’s a very intense guy. That’s the report on him. Sometimes you’ve got to get him to back off a little. He’s definitely a guy we think a lot of. That’s why he’s on the roster, and that’s why he’s here.”
Melancon is out with a mild pronator strain near his right elbow, but expects to be ready when he is eligible to return on May 16. Derek Law is expected to head a closer by committee until he returns.