SAN FRANCISCO — With the Giants returning home and seeing two everyday players come off the DL in Denard Span and Brandon Crawford, it appears as though Bruce Bochy may also get his closer back soon as well.
Before Thursday’s series opener against the Cincinnati Reds, Bochy gave an update on the status of the Giants’ biggest free agent acquisition of this past offseason. Melancon, who was placed on the 10-day DL retroactive to May 6 with a mild pronator strain near his right elbow, should be ready to come off the DL when he’s eligible on Tuesday, Bochy said.
“If this was the last week of September, he wouldn’t be on the DL,” Bochy said. “He probably could throw. Sure, it’d probably be a little risk. And that’s why we put him on the disabled list now.”
Bochy also said that while Melancon remains out for the next few days, he’d like to keep Derek Law as the primary closer, though he may not be available for Thursday’s game after throwing 27 pitches against the Mets on Wednesday.
Similarly, Bochy said Eduardo Nunez should be the regular left fielder now with Crawford returning to the left side of the infield. That would mean rookie Christian Arroyo has a firm hold on the third base spot, where he will play Thursday.
In other pregame notes, Conor Gillaspie will be placed on the 10-day DL due to back spasms to make room for the returns of Crawford and Span. Earlier today, it was announced that reliever Reyes Moronta was sent down to Double-A Richmond.