Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
The Giants are one step closer to a decision.
Drew Smyly and Jeff Samardzija each threw about 50 pitches off the Oracle Park mound on Saturday, both coming through well as they progress back to the Giants staff, if not the Giants rotation.
When healthy, Smyly has an earmarked rotation spot, his stuff impressive early this season before a left index finger strain put him on the IL after just three appearances. Though it’s possible he returns in relief, built up to just three innings at the moment. A piggyback situation that coincides with the next start of Tyler Anderson — the first Giants starter on the chopping block — would not be surprising.
The situation is more curious for Samardzija, who while he threw his three innings and mixed up pitches, did not throw his splitter, which had been his favorite pitch. He shelved it due to a blister during his ineffective three starts before hitting the IL with a shoulder impingement, instead tweaking the grip toward a changeup that he did throw in Saturday’s sim game. Perhaps he now favors the changeup.
The pair pitched against Pablo Sandoval and Chadwick Tromp, allowing those two to get at-bats, too.
“I think everything’s on the table at this point,” Gabe Kapler said about Smyly’s and Samardzija’s next steps. “I think it’s going to be based on the needs of our club, obviously, and timing. … We’ve got a couple of days to deliberate and think through things.”
Johnny Cueto’s, Logan Webb’s, Kevin Gausman’s and Trevor Cahill’s spots appear safe — although Cahill is still proving himself and throwing Saturday against Arizona. Gausman has been an electric reliever in the past, and it will be interesting to see if down the stretch the Giants reconsider his role.