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The loss of Johnny Cueto has allowed the Giants to attempt to shore up a weakness in their bullpen.
San Francisco has placed the artist that is Cueto on the 10-day injured list and brought up the fire-throwing Camilo Doval as another righty arm out of the bullpen.
The moves were announced Friday morning, before the Giants started a series in Miami that likely will see Doval’s major league debut. Cueto is expected to miss a few weeks with a grade 1 lat strain, his IL stint retroactive to April 15. More will be known about his return timetable when Gabe Kapler speaks publicly in a few hours.
For Doval, the time is now. In 2019, the last time there was a minor league season, he topped out at then-High-A San Jose. His stuff was raw but electric enough to warrant a spot at the Giants’ alternate site last year, before he was added to the 40-man roster in the offseason. He had a strong spring training, striking out seven in five innings while allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits and two walks, and the reports out of the alternate site this year have been strong.
The 23-year-old from the Dominican Republic can touch triple digits and has a mid-to-high 90s cutter that misses a lot of bats. Although the Giants’ lefty relievers have been effective against righties, they are short on righty options. Reyes Moronta being forced to the IL meant the bullpen only had Tyler Rogers (who has pitched eight times in 12 games) and Matt Wisler (who has struggled) from the right side.
In the rotation, San Francisco likely will swap Logan Webb for Cueto. The Giants are giving Doval a shot over more-established options who are not on the 40-man roster, such as Dominic Leone, Nick Tropeano, Jimmie Sherfy and Shun Yamaguchi.
It’s a jump for a pitcher who hasn’t thrown a qualified inning above High-A, but his stuff sure is intriguing.